Lot 611

Isaac-Paul Du Hamel à Paris, Height 410 mm, circa 1665
A rare religieuse pendulum clock, The Hague, with hour strike and unusual, chased silver mountings
Case: ebony-veneer, chased silver mountings, moulded, the sides with silver frames, glazed front with pediment concealing the bell, bun feet. Dial: dial plate with applied silver chapter ring with inlaid radial Roman hours and Arabic minutes set on a purple velvet ground. Signature plaque decorated with volutes and two putti, rectangular cut-out for controlling the pendulum. Movm.: rectangular brass movement 110 x 80 mm, large barrel, count wheel, verge escapement, keywind, cycloidal cheeks.
The front side of the clock is lavishly ornamented with magnificent, chased silver fittings: On the arched pediment two putti support a shield in the shape of a baroque-style rocaille framed by cornucopiae; the shield is crowned by a vase of flowers. The face is surrounded by a marvellous garland of roses, dog roses, acanthus and ornamental ribbons.
Isaac-Paul Du Hamel, the maker of this splendid clock with its particularly beautiful silver ornamentation, worked as "Horloger du Roi" and "Marchand Horloger Privilégié du Roi" in Paris until 1678, when he resigned from his positions for the sake of his wife Marguerite de Génicourt. Around 1684 he began working with his son Louis Du Hamel. Records exist of five religieuse clocks he had produced until 1700.