Antique French clocks exude the aura of greatness, wealth, elegance, and timeless beauty. They boast not only the craftsmanship of the avant-gardes but also the history that envelopes each masterpiece.
Unlike today wherein the clocks are made in factory by machines and advanced horology, the antique clocks, especially those made in 18th to 19th century, were all built in precision by the master clockmakers’ own hands.
Some of the most significant clockmakers also gave service to most significant figures of their times. They range from members of the royal family to the high church officials.
Hailed as the most skillful clockmaker in France of his time, a Julien Le Roy made clock that dates back to nearly three centuries kept King Louis XV abreast with contemporary art and also, of course, with time. It was in 1739 when he earned the title of Horloger Ordinaire du Roi or the official clockmaker of the king.
A brief background, Julien Le Roy started showing his clock-making ingenuity at an early of 13 when he created his first clock in their house in Tours in Central France. As a member of a family who lives by the tick of the clock, he inherited the skills and knowledge of good clockmaker. He devised a number of innovations in horology for a more precise time telling like the adjustable bracket and the adoption of George Graham’s innovation for verge escapement wheel 1720’s, and the invention of compensation pendulum in 1738 that allowed escapement for pendulum clocks.
Most of his famous clock masterpieces are collaborative works with different artisan in their respective fields such as gilders, enamellers, bronze and brass casters, and woodcarvers. “Time’s Employment” is one of most popular mantel clock in eighteenth-century that features the creativity of a French sculptor Laurent Guiard for the case. He also worked with enamel connoisseur Antoine-Nicolas Martiniere who worked with him for a number of mantel clocks and time pieces. Other notable collaborations are with wood engraver Nicolas Le Sueur, cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle for the “Fine Boulle Clock” which is on display in Palais de Fontainebleu, and bronze-caster and also a clockmaker Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain.
His crafts today are housed in different well-known museums in parts of Europe. Silver travelling clock and cartel clock are featured in the National Museum in Stockholm, other masterpieces are at Château de Versailles in France, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, and in horology dedicated museum in Switzerland, Musée d’Horlogerie (also known as Musée International d’Horlogerie.
A few more collection of Julien Le Roy’s craftsmanship can also be witnessed in American galleries namely the Detroit Institute of Art in Detroit, the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
For antique French clocks collectors and hobbyists, there are a number of auction houses and online auction sites that showcases Julien Le Roy’s clocks and timepieces. They range small gilt brass timepieces and humpback carriage clock to detailed and elegant mantle clocks to the big and heavy wall clocks.