Clock

David Roentgen|Elie Prudhomme

ca. 1780–90 · Oak, pine, and mahogany, veneered with mahogany; brass, gilt bronze and enamel · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Its severe architectural form makes the case of this clock as imposing a classical monument. Typical is the use of finely grained mahogany veneered, applied from a single sheet from the frieze at the top down to the base, combined with brass inlay and gilt-bronze mounts. The base, enamel dial with bold roman numerals, and steel hand that indicates the day of the month make it an ideal timepiece for a desktop. Displayed on the rolltop desk with Chinoiserie, its simplicity looks like an anachronism. It is, however, a perfect match when the rolltop is lifted (see ill.). The movement is attributed to Élie Prudhomme, a Moravian clockmaker in Neuwied. The dial is signed Jean Thomas/Petersbourg. Thomas, a Swiss clock maker who lived in Saint Petersburg in the early nineteenth century, may have repaired the movement.

Artist

David Roentgen|Elie Prudhomme

Date

ca. 1780–90

Medium

Oak, pine, and mahogany, veneered with mahogany; brass, gilt bronze and enamel

Culture

German, Neuwied am Rhein

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of The Ruth Stanton Family Foundation, in honor of Wolfram Koeppe, 2002