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Lot 35
A fine and rare late 18th century French ormolu-mounted marble mantel clock with annual calendar and phases of the moon Attributed to Hubert Martinet, the dial signed Jean Bapiste Petit 4
11 December 2019, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £12,562.50 inc. premium
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A fine and rare late 18th century French ormolu-mounted marble mantel clock with annual calendar and phases of the moon
Attributed to Hubert Martinet, the dial signed Jean Bapiste Petit
The main 4.25 inch enamel dial decorated in the manner of Coteau, with a polychrome enamel border depicting signs of the Zodiac and the month, each within a running garland of flowers, with gilt minute markers, Arabic quarters and hours, with matching pierced gilt hands, the month noted via a tapered steel hand, flanked by three similar subsidiary dials showing the season, the date, and the day and diety, all four dials set in beaded bezels within a cast foliate border to the shaped brass dialplate echoing the form of the movement plates, raised on twin ormolu-mounted reeded columns flanked by figures of standing cherubs on a matt and burnished ormolu 'chequered' base and marble plinth raised on cast feet, the spring driven movement with specially cast shaped plates united by turned pillars, the going train with anchor escapement and silk suspended pendulum, the strike train with outside countwheel striking a bell, the elaborate calendar work mounted on the frontplate, the backplate mounted with a fifth dial showing an enamel rolling moon against a shaped painted horizon below a sunburst mask. Ticking and striking. Together with a large winding key stamped 10 and 577, as well as a male turning key and a silk suspension star pendulum. 51.5cm (20ins) (4)
The main 4.25 inch enamel dial decorated in the manner of Coteau, with a polychrome enamel border depicting signs of the Zodiac and the month, each within a running garland of flowers, with gilt minute markers, Arabic quarters and hours, with matching pierced gilt hands, the month noted via a tapered steel hand, flanked by three similar subsidiary dials showing the season, the date, and the day and diety, all four dials set in beaded bezels within a cast foliate border to the shaped brass dialplate echoing the form of the movement plates, raised on twin ormolu-mounted reeded columns flanked by figures of standing cherubs on a matt and burnished ormolu 'chequered' base and marble plinth raised on cast feet, the spring driven movement with specially cast shaped plates united by turned pillars, the going train with anchor escapement and silk suspended pendulum, the strike train with outside countwheel striking a bell, the elaborate calendar work mounted on the frontplate, the backplate mounted with a fifth dial showing an enamel rolling moon against a shaped painted horizon below a sunburst mask. Ticking and striking. Together with a large winding key stamped 10 and 577, as well as a male turning key and a silk suspension star pendulum. 51.5cm (20ins) (4)
Footnotes
The current clock bears striking similarities to those made by Hubert Martinet in the late 18th century. Jean Baptiste Petit was more than likely simply the retailer. The Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Bordeaux have a simpler clock in their collection by Martinet with identical dials. Another with simple frame and monochromatic dials was sold in these rooms 9th July 2013, lot 16. Another is illustrated in D. Roberts "Continental and American Skeleton Clocks", Schiffer, 1989, page 21 where it is noted that only four similar clocks are known. The current clock would appear to be a more adventurous foray for Martinet, wherein he has used more elaborate decoration to the case, dial and movement.