''Barometer Clock (Boulle)'' by
André-Charles Boulle is a late seventeenth-century French clock created out of ebony, turtle shell, brass, gilt bronze, and enamel. The clock case is decorated on all sides and was intended as either a centerpiece or for display on a mantel in front of a mirror.
[Edey, Winthrop. French Clocks in North American Collections: Exhibition at the Frick Collection, November 2, 1982 - January 30, 1983. The Frick Collection, 1982. pgs. 40-44.] The centerpiece of the clock is a relief of "Father Time Carrying Off Truth."
[“Magnificent Timekeepers: An Exhibition of Northern European Clocks in New York Collections” by Clare Vincent, Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, February/March 1972.]
This late seventeenth-century clock also functions as a barometer; the "two doors on the rear of the clock open to reveal a glass tube containing mercury and a float to which thread is attached."
The semicircular barometer dial indicates five weather conditions from one extreme, ''beaucoup de pluye'' (rainy), to the other, ''beau fixe'' (fine).
[The Art of the Timekeeper: Masterpieces from the Winthrop Edey Bequest, exhibition at The Frick Collection, November 14, 2001 - February 24, 2002. The Frick Collection, 2001.]
Boulle, who gave his name to the type of veneering on this clock, is listed in the French Archives Nationales as a cabinet maker, maker of marquetry, and gilder and chaser of bronzes.
The clock movement design is by either Isaac Thuret or his son Jacques Thuret. The dial and backplate of the movement are both signed "I. Thuret...", the character I and J being interchangeable during the period.
Acquisition
The Barometer Clock was acquired by The
Frick Collection
The Frick Collection is an art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection (normally at the Henry Clay Frick House, currently at the 945 Madison Avenue#2021–present: Frick Madison, Frick Madison) features Old Master paintings and Europe ...
through the bequest of New York collector
Winthrop Kellogg Edey
Winthrop Kellogg "Kelly" Edey (1938–1999) was a noted collector and horologist who lived in Manhattan, New York City. His well-regarded collection of timepieces is now in the Frick Collection. Edey is the subject of several '' Screen Tests'' by ...
in 1999. Edey's bequest included twenty-five clocks and fourteen watches as well as his library and archives.
[Frick Collection press release](_blank)
The Art of the Timekeeper: Masterpieces from the Winthrop Edey Bequest.
Exhibition
*"Magnificent Timekeepers: An Exhibition of Northern European Clocks in New York Collections,” 1972, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
*"French Clocks in North American Collections," November 2, 1982 - January 30, 1983, The Frick Collection.
*"The Art of the Timekeeper: Masterpieces from the Winthrop Edey Bequest," November 14, 2001 - February 24, 2002, The Frick Collection.
See also
*
André-Charles Boulle
*
Thuret family
The Thuret family of clockmakers established themselves as one of the outstanding craftsman-dynasties in 17th- and 18th-century Paris. Their clocks are signed "Thuret", and distinguishing which member of the Thuret family made a specific clock is s ...
References
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External links
Barometer Clock, ca. 1690-1700The Frick Collection Online.
“Tick Talks”Frick Collection education interns discuss their research on 4 clocks, including the Barometer Clock.
Objects in the Frick Collection
Clocks in the United States