Lot 24
A rare early 19th century French ormolu clock depicting 'The Oath of the Horatii' Le Roy, Hgr. du Roi, Paris
15 December 2009, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £6,000 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistA rare early 19th century French ormolu clock depicting 'The Oath of the Horatii'
Le Roy, Hgr. du Roi, Paris
Cast with a father and his three sons, the latter standing before him, arms around one another, swearing an oath on their swords, the signed enamel Roman dial set in a plinth between them, mounted on a rectangular plinth cast with a long panel depicting a battle scene of five fallen men, the sides mounted with a shield centred by an eye and martial trophies, on an acanthus cast base and paw feet, the movement with circular plates, silk suspension and outside countwheel strike on a bell, numbered 103 51cms (20ins) high.
Cast with a father and his three sons, the latter standing before him, arms around one another, swearing an oath on their swords, the signed enamel Roman dial set in a plinth between them, mounted on a rectangular plinth cast with a long panel depicting a battle scene of five fallen men, the sides mounted with a shield centred by an eye and martial trophies, on an acanthus cast base and paw feet, the movement with circular plates, silk suspension and outside countwheel strike on a bell, numbered 103 51cms (20ins) high.
Footnotes
The inspiration for this case is usually given as J.L. David's 1784 painting of the moment when the three Horatii brothers, symbols of ancient Roman valour, taking a sacrificial oath before their father, holding three swords, to stand together against the Curiatii. The base panel depicts the battle scene with the surviving brother standing amidst his dying siblings and slain enemies.
A similar clock, part of the Royal collection, can be seen in Cedric Jagger, Royal Clocks, plate 195, Robert Hale, London 1983.
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