Clock with pedestal — Met 58.53a–c · ca. 1690

This clock with pedestal in The Metropolitan Museum of Art is dated ca. 1690. The catalogue records Case and pedestal of oak with marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, and pewter; gilt bronze; dial of gilt brass with white enameled Arabic numerals; movement of brass and steel and identifies the object as 58.53a–c. Its maker attribution is Case attributed to André Charles Boulle. Use the record as a documented point of comparison: the dates and attributions below belong to this collection object, and should not be transferred to a similar-looking timepiece without further evidence.

Catalogue facts

Object	Clock with pedestal
Date	ca. 1690
Maker / contributors	Case attributed to André Charles Boulle; After a design by Jean Berain; Clock by Jacques III Thuret; more likely his father, Isaac II Thuret
Materials	Case and pedestal of oak with marquetry of tortoiseshell, engraved brass, and pewter; gilt bronze; dial of gilt brass with white enameled Arabic numerals; movement of brass and steel
Dimensions	Overall, dims confirmed, wt. estimated: 87 1/4 × 14 3/4 × 11 5/8 in., 100 lb. (221.6 × 37.5 × 29.5 cm, 45.4 kg); Other (clock and crest): 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm)
Culture / place	Not specified in this record
Collection number	58.53a–c
Acquisition credit	Rogers Fund, 1958

What to notice in this record

The date is qualified rather than exact. Keep that qualification in your research notes: it signals the level of precision supplied by the museum. Do not turn the beginning or end of a range into a documented manufacture year.

The material description includes gilding. Keep the distinction between a surface finish and the material beneath it. A gold-coloured appearance is not a substitute for the source’s specific material description.

Use it as a comparison

1. Start with the complete form and the recorded dimensions, then compare individual features.
2. Transcribe visible names and numbers on your own object exactly, recording their locations.
3. Separate similarities from differences and mark information that cannot be checked in a photograph.
4. Follow the museum link for additional views and any revisions before relying on the comparison.

Questions this entry can—and cannot—answer

Which object is being described?

The Met collection object 58.53a–c, catalogued as Clock with pedestal. The image and facts on this page concern that object.

Does this identify a similar watch or clock?

No. It supplies a documented comparison. A proposed identification needs evidence from the object being examined.

Is a current value or working condition established?

Neither a current valuation nor a mechanical assessment is supplied by the metadata used for this entry. These points remain unassessed here.

What should I read next?

The antique-clock guide explains the broader method. For examination or service, consult an appropriate horology professional.