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La Réconciliation Echappement « Béthune » CLEMENCE 1780
| Materials: | Bronze mercury gilding, Marble |
|---|---|
| Era: | Louis XVI 1775-1790 |
| Period: | XVIIIe siècle |
| Provenance: | French |
- Restored to original condition.
- Complete movement overhaul, working perfectly.
- Perfect authenticity, no modification.
- Original gilding.
- Winding key and balance wheel.
- Notice d'utilisation, mise en route pendule.
- Certificate of authenticity, invoice.
- Chime on antique bell, hour and half-hour.
Height: 50 cm
Width: 38 cm
Depth: 20 cm
Description
Dating from the Louis XVI period around 1780, this rare and spectacular historical clock in mercury-gilt bronze and white marble is remarkably authentic and preserved in exceptional condition. Its authenticity is fully established: the clockmaker's name, listed in Tardy's catalogue, clearly attests to the creation of this precise model. The mechanism, of great horological interest, is further equipped with a particularly rare escapement known as the Chevalier de Béthune escapement. This major 18th-century mechanical innovation reflects a broader horological quest to reduce friction, improve isochronism, and increase the precision of timepieces. The Chevalier de Béthune was an 18th-century French clockmaker renowned for his watches and clocks of exceptional mechanical and aesthetic refinement, which are highly sought after by collectors and institutions today.
This scene depicts one of the most pivotal episodes in French political history: the reconciliation between Henry IV and Charles of Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, sealing the end of the Wars of Religion and ushering in lasting civil peace under the Bourbon dynasty.
The scene, remarkable for its narrative power, presents the two protagonists in a composition that is both theatrical and deeply symbolic. Henry IV, shown standing, dressed as a military gentleman of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, wears the emblematic costume of his era: a doublet with puffed sleeves, a finely chiseled ruff, high boots, and a plumed hat. His demeanor is calm, confident, almost benevolent. With his arm outstretched in a gesture of appeasement, he embodies the magnanimous sovereign, victorious yet merciful, offering peace to his former adversary. Facing him, the Duke of Mayenne is depicted kneeling in a posture of solemn submission. Kneeling, his torso inclined, one arm raised towards the king, he expresses both the surrender of arms, the recognition of royal authority, and the acceptance of a new political order. The exquisitely rendered face conveys the gravity of the moment and the moral significance of this historic act. The contrast in postures—one standing, the other kneeling—structures the entire interpretation of the work and reinforces its symbolic power.
In the background, a vigorous tree, likely an oak, rises and envelops the scene with its abundant foliage. A tree of strength and longevity, it symbolizes the rebirth of the nation, the restored solidity of the state, and the enduring establishment of peace. The finely chiseled and richly gilded leaves offer a luminous contrast to the dial and bring vertical balance to the composition.
Large domed white enamel dial highlighted by a beaded bezel housing a domed crystal.
The clock rests on a white marble architectural base, punctuated by gilt bronze bas-reliefs depicting military trophies and allegorical motifs. These ornaments underscore the transition between war and concord, while lending the clock a monumental presence and great decorative elegance.
Original mechanism, unaltered. Wire suspension. Strikes the hours and half-hours on an antique bell.
Questions
Easily pay for your purchases using our highly protected bank card system with SSL certificate and 256 bit encryption, ensuring confidentiality when any information is transferred. On a web browser, the OVH SSL certificate activates the HTTPS protocol and displays a padlock in the navigation bar. This shows that any transaction is encrypted and confidential, and that your website address has been authenticated.
Our items mainly stem from the inheritance of objects, preciously looked after over numerous generations. There is a stringent selection process for each object ensuring perfect authenticity and the optimal amount of gilding
We do not use the term “Restoration”, which implies a significant transformation or major repair that modifies an object’s authenticity or original appearance. Each object is completely dismantled, then thoroughly cleaned part by part; our cleaning technique restores shine without adversely affecting the gold. We then put the clock back together, returning all the various parts to their origin location, as well as all the nuts and screws. Subsequently, the item is inspected to ensure it is perfectly even, symmetrical, and smooth, etc.
The clock’s movement undergoes a complete overhaul; it is totally dismantled, cleaned and each individual part is polished. The duration of this procedure affects the shine: we prefer to obtain a brilliant shine, in keeping with the gilding of the object. To increase the strength and quality of the gears, we apply a very important procedure, known as bouchonnage, to correct for wear accumulated over years of operation, consisting in the placing cork of stoppers in any pivot holes that have become deformed by wear. After the clock has been completely reassembled, it is tested over a long period of time to ensure that the movement, as well as the hour and half-hour strikes, are operating correctly.
- Akzeptierte Kreditkarten: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover und Diners Club.
- Bank transfer: You can also send us a copy of the bank transfer order to speed up the processing of your order.
Upon dispatch of your order, you will be sent a parcel tracking number by email.
Delivery anywhere in the world.
France: - Clocks: 3 days preparation work + 2 days for delivery - Total: 5 business days - Decorative objects: 1 days preparation work + 2 days for delivery - Total: 3 business days
Europe - Clocks: 3 days preparation work + 3 days for delivery - Total: 6 business days - Decorative objects: 1 day preparation work + 3 days for delivery - Total: 6 business days
Other countries - Clocks: 3 days preparation work + 3-8 days for delivery - Decorative objects: 1 days preparation work + 3-8 days for delivery
Easily pay for your purchases using our highly protected bank card system with SSL certificate and 256 bit encryption, ensuring confidentiality when any information is transferred. On a web browser, the OVH SSL certificate activates the HTTPS protocol and displays a padlock in the navigation bar. This shows that any transaction is encrypted and confidential, and that your website address has been authenticated.
You will receive—by email and a paper version—an explanatory document containing all the necessary instructions and recommendations for operating your clock. We also provide assistance over the phone to guide you through the start-up procedure. Of course, we will continue to be available—by both telephone and email—to answer any questions you may have. For calls in German or English, please make an appointment first via email, providing us with your telephone number, and the date and time you wish to contact us. Contact.
- Click on the button “add to basket” to add an object. - Once you have finished your order, click on “view contents of basket” located at the bottom of the screen or on small the “shopping trolley” icon at the top right. - click “Complete my order” or “order” - Fill in the invoicing address details, you also have the possibility to send the parcel to a different address. - Select the payment method - To confirm your order, click “order now”
By email, you will be sent: - confirmation of your order & payment - Parcel tracking information
Every purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity and an invoice
High quality certificate of authenticity printed on photo paper with text and photos providing all the information concerning your object. Detailed invoice indicating the price paid for the object.
