#A.d.mougin clockmaker full#

The horse was an ornament, on or next to the clock case. The elephant, the dog, and the cat became clocks by integrating a movement and a dial into their body. The lion often appeared as a decorative element, especially in black mantle clocks. Here is a list of some of the objects that inspired the clock manufacturers:įurthermore, animals have been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for clockmakers. Their cases imitated musical instruments such as banjo and lyre, bird cages, honeycombs, balloons, drums, figurines, lighthouses, towers, even measuring tapes, etc. Here are some examplesĮveryday objects inspired the clock manufacturers. They appealed to well-known founders and sculptors who produced bronze figures to lay on clocks, particularly in France. The manufacturers of cases have introduced on or next to the clock elements from the decorative arts, such as statues, candlesticks, and cassolettes, the latter from Egyptian art. Therefore, they added to it another function, as in the examples that follow:Ĥ.05.4 – Stylistics Elements from the Decorative Arts Other clocks have been integrated into a piece of furniture, such as a coffee table or a buffet. They became an integral part of the furniture. They also borrowed from the furniture style:Īlso, some clocks have been placed on a piece of furniture that accompanies and highlights it. Indeed, the square is attached to the top of the back of a clock case, usually by hinges, and the bottom part opens at an angle to hold the clock.Ĭlock case specialists, who were often cabinetmakers, were also inspired by the style of furniture in vogue in their day. Tanks to the strut, clockmakers could make thin clock cases held at an angle. In the image below, look at some examples applied to clock cases : 4.05.2.2.4 – The Strut It may take different forms: circular, paneled, broken, triangular, interspersed, etc. The pediment is the crowning of a building or furniture. Here are some examples of clocks with columns: Look at the next slides and popups to see examples. Therefore, many of their cases have Classical Greek (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), Roman (Tuscan and Composite), Gothic, Baroque, or Renaissance columns. The columns are ubiquitous in some antique American shelf clocks, especially black mantle clocks. Embedded in the structure, columns become backed columns or half-columns. A column rests on a base or pedestal higher than the simple base. As a smooth, twisted, fluted, or gilded cylinder, the column served as the support for a higher structure. Here are some examples:Įvery era since the 12 th century had its column style. See Wikipedia for more details.Ĭabinet makers of the 18th-century clocks developed clock cases having the shape of an arch opening. Think of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, built in the 19th century.

#A.d.mougin clockmaker full#

They developed their full potential to build vaults and domes in all kinds of construction, bridges, aqueducts, portals, monumental buildings, etc. Then, the Romans were the first builders to appreciate the arch’s qualities. The Etruscans invented it, but Persians and Greeks took control of its development. It supports the load of what is above it. It is the semi-circular structure of an opening.

The arch is the basic structure of the vault. The first syllable of the word architecture is arch. The ark (or arch) in architecture occupies a prominent place in appearance, style, and structural utility. Here are some examples:Ĥ.05.2.2 – Architectural elements 4.05.2.2.1 – The Arch or Ark Their clocks indeed reproduce scale models of these buildings with coordinate decorations. Asian or East European buildings and Japanese and Chinese decorative arts also made their way to their minds. 4.05.2.1 – Architectural BuildingĪrchitectural buildings and religious art fascinated clockmakers and cabinetmakers, especially from the Middle Ages and the Greco-Roman periods. Also, the style of the period in which they lived and older styles influenced them. 4.05.1 – Geometric ShapesĬlocks, over time, have adopted standard geometric shapes:Ĥ.05.2 – Architectural or Furniture Design ShapesĪrchitectural elements from buildings or furniture inspired the case manufacturers and clockmakers. Indeed, Geometric Shapes, Architectural, Furniture or Decorative Arts Shapes, Everyday Objects or Animal Shapes, or even Other Clock Cases, inspired clockmakers. The general architecture of the clock case is the fifth point of view.