Large Louis XVI cartouche clock in fire-gilt bronze, 1780, Jean Amant, Paris
Key facts
- Production time
- 1780
- Country of manufacture
- France
- Power reserve
- 14 days
Description
A very rare, large Louis XVI cartel clock in fire-gilt bronze, signed ‘Jean Amant en 1780’ 87 cm The beautiful bronze case is extensively decorated with garlands, acanthus leaves and so on; the upper section is crowned by an opulent vase finial with serpent handles. Judging by the quality of the bronze and the chasing, the case could be by Robert Osmond (unfortunately, it is not hallmarked); the fire-gilding is partial and has worn away in places, particularly on the polished surfaces, but is still in good condition for its age. The fine enamel dial, with its Roman and Arabic numerals, is well preserved and marked ‘Jean Amant Paris’. The very high-quality movement is in excellent condition; it is marked ‘Jean Amant Paris en 1780’. it strikes the full and half hours on a bronze bell; it is fitted with a hook escapement (original); the pendulum suspension has been converted from a thread suspension to a Brocota suspension; the pendulum was subsequently fitted to match. According to Tardy, Jean Amant (the Elder) was a master clockmaker from 1751 and ran his own shop in the Cul-de-sac de l’Egout St Martin from 1772 to 1789. Dimensions: Height: 87 cm Width: 40 cm All in all, a very high-quality and extremely rare cartel clock from the Louis XVI period, which at the time was reserved solely for the aristocracy and the upper middle classes. Please note that the photographs also form part of the