Dragon-Antiques.com has dated this piece to the 1880s.
~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~
A very large and palatial Louis XVI style ormolu clock by the Bronzier Jules Graux.
This is a large and heavy clock that will require a substantial mantle or table to sit on.
The large 8" beautifully decorated white enamel dial with delicate floral swags and finely detailed fretted gilt brass hands. It is signed Jules Graux, Paris. The rear door is also glazed to allow the movement to be seen.
Jules Graux's Foundry was based at 8 rue du Parc-Royal from 1860, they exhibited at the last national exhibition in Paris in 1849 and again Paris in 1855. At the London exhibition of 1862 their entry was described as, "bronzes d'ameublement, cheminée et garniture de cheminée, lustres, vases, statues, groupes, objets de service de table, gueridon de malachite." They also contributed to the Paris exhibition of 1867. By 1870 his sons M Graux-Marly took over the business from their father and, from then on, their works were stamped GRAUX-MARLY or GRAUX-MARLY FRÈRES. The foundry in renown for producing high-quality bronze castings, chasing and gilding, including clocks, candelabra, statuettes and other fine decorative works of art. Jules Graux - Graux-Marly Fondeurs also cast bronzes for many of the most renowned sculptors of the day, including but not limited to Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (French, 1827-1875), James Pradier - born Jean-Jacques Pradier (Swiss/French, 1790-1852), Emmanuel Frémiet (French, 1824-1910), Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (French, 1824-1887), Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley (French, 1847-1919) as well as reproducing important and popular antique, from the Renaissance and later models.
Related Literature: P. Kjellberg, Bronzes of the 19th century, page 660. Tardy Dictionaire des Horlogers Francais, page 682.
The French movement is of high quality and is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. It is the large well made, square plated version of the Pendule de Paris movement. Pendulum is original. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell.
Condition of the case is very good, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with some wear and discolouration. The dial is also in excellent condition just a small mark next to the right hand winding hole. The clock looks stunning.
Complete with original pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.
Dimensions of clock:
inches: Height 25", Width 18 1/2", Depth 9"
centimetres: Height 64 cm, Width 47 cm, Depth 23 cm
Dragon-Antiques.com has dated this piece to the 1880s.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Dragon-Antiques.com Profile Page
Magnificent Antique French Ormolu Clock ~ Jules Graux
