Ormolu wall clock and barometer pair by Beurdeley

The superb pieces in this pair are crafted from ormolu in a charming style that includes elements of the Neoclassical as well as the Chinoiserie. The pair includes a wall barometer with a thermometer, and a clock. The ormolu frames of both pieces conform to one another: each features a circular lower section containing a cylindrical drum—housing the clock in one instance and the barometer in the other. The circular bottom of each is surmounted by a plinth-form neck, giving each a shape that resembles a violin. The clock dial is comprised of individual white enamel cartouches inscribed with Roman numerals and set within a tooled gilt bronze frame, while the barometer includes a silvered dial with various weather indicators, and a thermometer set into its long neck.

The cases of each are richly adorned: the ormolu is moulded, tooled, and chased with a host of classicising detailing, including elaborate foliate motifs to the neck of the clock case and leafy friezes to the bezels of both dials. Most interestingly, each case is adorned with ‘handles’ that take the form of dragons with open mouths, which rise from more classically inspired plinths moulded with acanthus leaves.

The clock movement is signed ‘Charles Mt’, while the underside of various bronze mounts are marked ‘EB’ for Beurdeley.