Jacques Nicolas Pierre François Dubuc
Mantel Clock
1809-1819
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Jacques Nicolas Pierre François Dubuc
Mantel Clock
1809-1819
Physical Qualities
Mercury gilded brass, iron, enameled metal
, 19 x 14 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. (48.3 x 36.8 x 14.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Friends of the American Wing Fund
Object Number
1994.163
After George Washington’s death in 1799, entrepreneurial Europeans created household objects bearing the President’s likeness for the American market. In 1815, a Baltimorean received correspondence from the French maker of this clock, describing a plan to produce such timepieces in two sizes embellished with a “statue of the great Washington.” The well known tribute “First in War, First in Peace, First in the Hearts of his Countrymen” on the banner below the clock face quotes Major General Henry Lee’s eulogy of Washington, published as a pamphlet in the early 1800s. The clock face is inscribed “Rue Michelle le Comte, No. 33”, distinguishing Jacques Dubuc, who worked at that Paris address, from his younger brother, Jean Baptiste, another clockmaker associated with such timepieces. Can you see any differences between the large and small versions?
William Fehsenfeld, Sylvan Cohen, DDS
AMW Reinstallation 2014
American Wing Rotations 2020
American Wing Rotations 2021
Hugh Honour, 'The European Vision of America', The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, 1976, #225, ill.
Jonathan Snellenburg, 'George Washington in Bronze: A Survey of the Memorial Clocks,' "Antiques & Fine Art," ww.antiquesandfineart.com/articles/ article.cfm?request=296 (print date 8/2/2007).
Jonathan Snellenburg, 'George Washington in Bronze: A Survey of the Memorial Clocks,' "Antiques & Fine Art," ww.antiquesandfineart.com/articles/ article.cfm?request=296 (print date 8/2/2007).
Inscribed: On dial, 'Dubuc/Rue Michel-le-Comte No.33/A PARIS'; on plinth below eagle, 'E PLURIBUS UNUM'; on drapery below clock face, 'WASHINGTON./First in WAR, First in PEACE,/First in the HEARTS of his COUNTRYMEN'.
Maker
Jacques Nicolas Pierre François Dubuc
1742–1829
French, before 1743-1830
Meet Jacques Nicolas Pierre François Dubuc
