Balloon Clock with Boulle by Lund

Description

French Movement Signed by Lund

From our Accessories collection, we are pleased to offer this unusual Balloon Clock with boulle inlay by esteemed London makers Lund.

The clock of classic balloon shape which became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries is beautifully finished in Mahogany raised upon brass shaped feet with a stepped plinth base having a brass band. The front of the clock is inlaid with a beautiful waisted boulle tortoiseshell and brass inlay with a brass stringing border which traces around the perimeter. The top of the clock is fitted with a silvered dial bearing black roman numerals and the maker Lund’s signed also 92 Old Broad Street and French make referring to the clock movement in the rear. The dial is finished with blue steel hands showing the quality of the timepiece.

The balloon clock dates to the second half of the 19th century during the Victorian period circa 1870.

Lund

was established in London by Thomas Lund in 1804. Initially selling pens and quills the Lund firm became known for the high-quality manufacture of cutlery, writing boxes and other luxury items. William Lund the son of Thomas was also a cutler and dressing case maker, apprentice to William Anderson from who William acquired the premises on Fleet Street, London in 1835.  Thomas and William initially ran their businesses independently, but after Thomas’s death in 1845, William took over the running of both, whilst also expanding his own premises in Fleet Street. When William Lund died in 1872, his son Charles continued the business under the name of William Lund & Son.

Mahogany

A balloon clock is a bracket clock with a waisted or balloon-shaped case believe to have originated from French styles finished typically in satinwood or mahogany. It was popular in England from the late 18th to the early 19th century.

Boulle

work is a type of rich marquetry or inlay originally perfected by renowned French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle. It involves veneering objects or furniture with tortoiseshell and brass in elaborate designs often incorporating arabesques. It gives the objects an extremely attractive and unique appearance with the red tortoiseshell elegantly complimenting the gold-coloured brass inlay.

Tortoiseshell 

describes a type of decorative material made from the shells of certain species of sea turtles. The shells of these turtles are composed of a hard, glossy substance called keratin, which can be cut and shaped into a variety of decorative items. Tortoiseshell has been used for centuries to make a range of decorative objects, including combs, brush handles, and other small items. It is also sometimes used to make tea caddies, as it is strong, durable, and can be polished to a high shine. The term “tortoiseshell” is used to describe these decorative items, even though they are made from the shells of sea turtles because the term has been used historically to refer to this material.

If you are purchasing Tortoiseshell or Ivory pieces and are outside the E.U. you must have a CITES certificate in order to import the item into your country. We can obtain these on your behalf at a cost of £50 and these can take up to 14 working days to arrive at our office. Due to the strict exporting rules of these pieces, they may also come with further shipping costs. Please ensure you contact us prior to purchase for a quote.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information