A Louis XV gilt-bronze cartel clock and matching barometer, Julien Le Roy, Paris, circa 1750

A Louis XV gilt-bronze cartel clock and matching barometer, Julien Le Roy, Paris, circa 1750

8¼-inch enamel dial signed Julien Le Roy, the square-plated movement with unusual anchor escapement, star-cut numbered outside count wheel striking on a bell, the case surmounted by an armillary sphere and quiver of arrows above a winged putto, garlands of flowers and foliate scrolls, the lower section with a glazed pendulum door; together with a matching barometer, the conforming case surmounted by a terrestrial globe and instruments of science, the lower section with a hygrometer inscribed Lange de Bourbon,  

both 118cm. 46½in. high

Catalogue note

Julien Le Roy, (1686-1759) was an important influence in French clockmaking in the 18th century. Renowned for the high quality of his clock movements, he used case makers such as the Caffieri to provide opulent cases for his clocks. He was made clockmaker to King Louis XV in 1739, a position he held until his death. This exceptional clock and barometer bring together the arts of the bronzier, clockmaker and barometer maker incorporating allegories of science and astronomy in spectacular fashion.

Little is known of the early life of Lange de Bourbon but he was made barometer maker to King Louis XV before 1759 and he died in 1772. A carved giltwood barometer of similar form by Lange de Bourbon was sold Christies, London, 6th December 2007, Lot 315. Other barometers by Lange de Bourbon are in the collections of the Nissim de Camondo Museum, Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.