Small Boulle clock, ‘Pendule Cartel’, c. 1730, Louis XV style, with console and spindle escapement
Key facts
- Country of manufacture
- France
- Production time
- around 1730
Description
A very fine Boulle clock with a wall bracket; the movement features a spindle escapement and an hour striking mechanism on two bells, signed ‘Gillaume-Isidore Champion A Paris’ circa 1730 Slightly bulbous case with numerous ‘Style Rocaille’ bronze fittings; glazed bronze doors with an applied bronze decoration (winged Cupid); ‘En Face’ feet; crowned by a putto holding a torch; lavish Boulle marquetry. Glazed panels on the sides. Matching wall bracket, also with ‘En Face’ bronze fittings. The case is in good condition for its age, with no missing parts; the gilding on the bronze is also still in very good condition. A very elaborate, gilded dial with enamel cartouches featuring blue Roman numerals (the IX is damaged). An interesting movement with a spindle escapement and a lock-disc striking mechanism for the full hour (on 2 bells); both mechanisms are driven by a single mainspring (original mainspring dated 1733) via 2 counter-rotating gears. The movement is in good, clean and working condition. Marked on the back: G.I. Champion A Paris. Gillaume-Isidore Champion (1687–1765) became a ‘Gardé’ of the Paris Watchmakers’ Guild in 1731; he worked initially in Rue St Paul and later in Rue Aubry des Boucher. Blued, hand-sawn steel hands. Dimensions: Total height: 73.50 cm Clock: Height: 53 cm Width: 26 cm Depth: 13 Console: Height: 20.5 cm Width: 26 cm Depth: 14.5 cm The small attached gallery is approx. 2.5 cm high