A Charles X Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Lyre-Form Clock Attributed to l'Escalier de Cristal

Paris, Circa 1820-1830

Height 19 1/2 inches.

This lot is located in Chicago.

Note:

L'Escalier de Cristal was a renowned Parisian boutique founded in 1802 and headed by Marie-Jeanne-Rosalie Désarnaud-Charpentier (1775-1842) following the death of her husband, Barthélemy Désarnaud. The company established itself as an important contributor to the industry of fine furniture and objets d'art upon its debut of a suite of furniture made of cut glass with gilt bronze mounts at the 1819 Exposition des Produits de l'industrie in Paris. L'Escalier de Cristal was the first firm to create furniture out of cut glass and was thus awarded a gold medal for its innovation at the Exposition.

Conceived by Mme. Désarnaud and designed by Nicolas-Henri Jacob (1782-1871), the award-winning suite comprised of a dressing table with a chair and several other corresponding furniture and decorative articles. The dressing table was likely purchased by Marie-Caroline, Duchess of Berry (niece of Louis XVIII and daughter-in-law of King Charles X) i 1822 for her château in Rosny-sur-Seine; it is now housed in the Louvre. The present lot is highly reminiscent of the furniture suite in its decoration and quantity of cut glass elements.

The glass parts used in many of l'Escalier de Cristal's products were supplied by Aimé-Gabriel d'Artigues, director of the Vonèche, Belgium and Baccarat glass factories (glass was not supplied to l'Escalier de Cristal from the latter until after 1814). The glass elements of the present lot were likely sourced from one of these two factories.

Retains a pendulum and winding key, although the pendulum is likely replaced. The pendulum hangs from the rear of the case and the pendulum weight contacts the undulating glass base, causing disruption to the pendulum. Takes a wind, although one cylinder appears stuck, likely due to over-winding. There are a few minor chips to the glass body, the most significant being at the top of one of the lyre arms where the swan neck joins the structure.

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A Charles X Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Lyre-Form Clock Attributed to l'Escalier de Cristal

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