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Artist
PETER BOFENSCHEN OF HANOVER AND PARIS (1763-1830)
Country of Origin
France
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Dated
c. 1820
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Dimensions
8.70inch wide
20.10inch high
(22.10 cm wide 51.05 cm high)
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Description / Expertise
An early 19th century bronze and ormolu night clock, the enamel face signed Bofenschen a Paris with Roman numerals set into a classical vase with lions head handles the reverse with glass projection lens, the main body with ormolu ornamentation supported on a bronze plinth with large ormolu starburst.
This very unusual clock is designed to be used both during the day and at night. The vase contains an oil reserve and wick that can be lit at night which projects the time through an adjustable lens in the reverse. The gilded finial is removed to act as a chimney for the flame.
Bofenschen was an expert clock maker and inventor who flourished in Paris between 1780 when he was first recorded and 1813 when he was last recorded working in the Rue de Temple during which time he worked alongside arguably the greatest of all French horologists Abraham Louis Breguet (1747-1823).
