Carrara marble mantel clock, fire-gilded bronze, Louis XVI style, 1785
Key facts
- Production time
- 1785
- Country of manufacture
- France
Description
The two large, curved acanthus leaves, each crowned by a bouquet of flowers, rise from the elongated plinth with a bronze inlay; the clock face is set in the centre, flanked by two harpies, whilst the upper section is topped by a balloon-like finial (presumably an allusion to the first hot-air balloon (1783) by the Montgolfier brothers). The fire-gilding is in good condition; only on the right-hand leaf is the gilding damaged in two places (reddish discolouration). The case has been completely dismantled; all individual parts have been carefully cleaned and subsequently reassembled. The movement, featuring a thread suspension as well as half-hour and hour striking mechanisms, has been fully overhauled and readjusted by a master watchmaker (all parts derusted, pivots polished, worn bearings replaced, the escape wheel reground and polished, the escapement readjusted, mainsprings checked for cracks and replaced where necessary, expertly oiled with special lubricants); it runs for approximately 14 days. The enamel dial is undamaged; it is marked ‘Durand’ (Pierre Durand, active in Paris from 1777 to 1820, according to Tardy). Dimensions: Height: 45 cm Width: 37 cm Depth: 12 cm The pendulum, key and a bell are included in the offer.