Longcase astronomical regulator

Balthazar Lieutaud|Ferdinand Berthoud|Philippe II Caffieri

ca. 1768–70 · Case: oak veneered with ebony and brass, with gilt-bronze mounts; Dial: white enamel; Movement: gilded brass and steel · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Berthoud is considered one of the fathers of the marine chronometer. He became a master clockmaker in Paris and was appointed clockmaker to the French king and navy. One version of an equation clock that registers both solar and mean solar time was Berthoud’s published invention. This clock is one of a series of regulators for which he made precision movements. It has a duration of one month and contains a bimetallic, or gridiron, pendulum. The thick brass and steel rods are mounted too closely together to be completely successful; nevertheless, these clocks were precise enough to be used by astronomers for timing celestial events. The severe neoclassical case with Chinese-style ornamental motifs was designed to display the ponderous swing of Berthoud’s pendulum.

Artist

Balthazar Lieutaud|Ferdinand Berthoud|Philippe II Caffieri

Date

ca. 1768–70

Medium

Case: oak veneered with ebony and brass, with gilt-bronze mounts; Dial: white enamel; Movement: gilded brass and steel

Culture

French, Paris

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982