37,950 CHF
Janvier No. 304, dated an 8 (1800). Fine and rare mahogany "pendule d'audience", with thermometer. Rectangular mahogany veneered, with ormolu lions on the base. Gilt brass bezel, rectangular thermometer aperture below the dial. Set on four gilt brass turned feet. Silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals and ten minute divisions, subsidiary inner off-set Arabic 10 minute ring. Silvered sector for the Reaumur bimetallic thermometer. Blued-steel hands. Circular brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, goingbarrel, anchor escapement, short pendulum with silk suspension. Signed and numbered on the dial, signed and dated on the thermometer. In very good condition. Dim. 30,5 x 17,5 x 15,5 cm. Notes The announcement of the De"clarntion Des Droits De L' Homme in August 1789, gave everv French citizen the right to an audience with his elected representative. Needless to say, such an opportunity was taken up with boundless enthusiasm by a population that had for generations been largely ignored by an authoritarian and autocratie system of government. It was quickly decided that any such audience would be limited to 10 minutes, and to this end the Pendule d'audience -vas devised to make the passage of such interviews clearly visible to both the plaintiff and the official.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
