Constantin Louis Detouche was was born in Paris on 10th October 1810. He was a very fine watch and clockmaker who had close ties with both Jacques Francois Houdin and Houdin’s son-in-law the great Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin. Detouche is first listed as working in Rue de Venise, Paris, in 1820 then in 1825 he moved to Rue Saint-Martin where it appears he stayed until 1890. Reference: Christie’s.
Below are some examples and price guides of clocks made by Constantin Louis Detouche including a gilt bronze and porcelain garniture and an example of Detouche’s maker’s mark.
Constantin Louis Detouche Maker’s Mark
A third quarter 19th century French gilt bronze figural mantel clock
in the Empire taste, the dial and movement signed C. Detouche, Paris
the rectangular case mounted to one side with a classical maiden reading, the top and opposing side surmounted and flanked by various scientific instruments, on footed plinth base with cast figural decoration, the enamel dial with Roman numerals, the twin train movement striking on a bell, with ebonised plinth base and glass cloche / shade, 45cm high
Sold for £255 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022
A FRENCH BLACK SLATE STRIKING MANTEL CLOCK
CIRCA 1880, SIGNED BY C. DETOUCHE
The case of curving architectural form with twin barrel movement, the dial with Brocot open escapement and ruby palletts signed ‘C. DETOUCHE FSEUR DE LA VILLE DE PARIS’, above a glazed cartouche housing the pendulum, flanked by a barometer and a dial indicating day, date and phases of the moon, on stepped base
- 1/2 in. (52 cm.) high; 21 in. (52.5 cm) wide; 7. 1/2 in. (19 cm.) deep
Sold for GBP 3,000 at Christie’s in 2021
French Gilt Bronze & Porcelain Clock Garniture, Constantin Louis Detouche (1810-1889), Paris
19th century
decorated with bronze busts of woman and putti and hand-painted porcelain plaques of woman, cherubs and flowers, French ebauche 8-day brass time and strike movement, dial marked “C. Detouche / Feur De S.M. L’Empereur / Paris,” movement signed with S. Marti & Cie mark
16 3/4 x 13 x 5 1/2 inches (clock)
18 x 7 1/4 inches (candelabra)
Sold for US$2,200 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in 2022
A Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Veneered Mantel Clock
Circa 1880
the movement stamped C. DETOUCHE/ 228 R. St. MARTIN 250/ 21282/ BREVETE.
Height 16 x width 11 1/4 inches.
Sold for US$1,300 at Hindman in 2022
