A very fine Empire gilt and patinated bronze Pendule "Le Portefaix by J.B.H. Tricqueneaux à Joigny of eight day duration, housed in a superb case by the bronzier Jean-André Reiche, the white enamel dial signed J.B.H. Tricqueneaux à Joigny with Roman and Arabic numerals and blued-steel Breguet style hands for the hours and minutes. The movement with anchor escapement, silk thread suspension, striking on the hour and half hours with outside count wheel.

Paris, date circa 1800-05
Height 36 cm, width 28 cm, depth 10 cm.

The case is one of a number created by Jean-André Reiche (1752-1817) who was one of the leading Parisian bronziers during the Empire period and like Jean-Simon Deverberie, gained particular renown for his Pendules Au Nègre. The son of a shop owner from Leipzig, Reiche was baptised in Leipzig's Sainte-Nicole Church on 13th August 1752, where his surname was recorded as Reich. Jean-André probably changed his name to accord with French conventions when, like a number of German ébénistes, he moved to Paris where he was received as master founder in June 1785. From his workshop in rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth he began specialising in the production of clock cases which especially thrived after the abolition of the guilds during the French Revolution. This meant that Reiche could now create every aspect of a clock case, employing a team of workmen from modellers, casters and chasers to marble workers. His renown immediately grew as a marchand-fabricant de bronzes and especially as a supplier to the Emperor. When he died on 18th March 1817, Jean-André Reiche left his business to his son Jean Reiche, who continued to run it successfully during the Restoration period.