Design for Clock
1800â1825
Classification
timepieces & measuring devices
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-71-20
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Design for Clock* from Lefebvre Manufactory Tournai, Belgium, dates to the early 19th century (1800–1825), a period when Europe was embracing the grandeur of the Napoleonic Empire style. Created as a preparatory sketch or blueprint, it captures the meticulous planning behind luxury timepieces—objects that blended functionality with opulent decoration, symbolizing status in affluent households. Tournai was renowned for its porcelain and decorative arts workshops, and Lefebvre's output likely contributed to this tradition of finely crafted domestic wares. As a study in horological...