Lot 226: HENRI VIAN 1860-1905 A LOUIS XVI STYLE GILT-BRONZE, ENAMEL AND JASPERWARE CARTEL CLOCK AND THERMOMETER PARIS, CIRCA 1885

HENRI VIAN 1860-1905 A LOUIS XVI STYLE GILT-BRONZE, ENAMEL AND JASPERWARE CARTEL CLOCK AND THERMOMETER PARIS, CIRCA 1885 the white enamel dial signed Robin , the case stamped HV and numbered to the reverse of one bronze element. height 36 3/4 in. 93.5 cm

The present model is based on a cartel clock and matching barometer attributed to Pierre-Joseph-Désiré Gouthière (1732-1813), formerly at the Chateau de Saint-Cloud and now in the permanent collection of the Musée du Louvre (cat. nos 392 and 393).

Henry Vian was the celebrated bronzier and grandfather of Boris Vian and the former specialised in the production of bronzes in the 18th century style. He was most well known for his production of light fittings. He participated in the Great Exhibitions of 1878, 1889 and 1900 and received a Gold Medal in 1889. His workshop was based at 5 rue de Thorigny, Paris and after his death in 1905, his wife, then his son Paul continued the business until 1944, when the city of Paris took over the premises for the l'Ecole des Métiers d'Art.