CLOCK ON PLINTH

CLOCK ON PLINTH,

Louis XV, in the style of C. CRESSENT (Charles Cressent, maître 1720), the dial and movement signed D. MASSON A PARIS (Denis Masson, maître 1746), Paris ca. 1750.

Matte and polished gilt bronze. Finely painted enamel dial, 2 fine, gilt hands. Movement with verge escapement, striking the 1/2-hour on bell. Gilding requires cleaning.

35x17x74 cm.

Provenance:
- Auction Sotheby's London, 14 June 1996 (Lot No. 44).
- from a German collection.

A similar clock with a different base was sold at Christie's London on 10 December 1992 (Lot No. 44) . For similar clock cases and bases, attributed to C. Cressent, see H. Ottomeyer / P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen - Die Bronzearbeiten des Spätbarock und Klassizismus, Munich 1986; I, p. 79 (Ill. 1.12.6, 1.12.7 and 1.12.8).

Ref.: J.D. Augarde, Les ouvriers du temps, Geneva 1996; p. 373 (biogr. information). H.L. Tardy, Dictionnaire des horlogers français, Paris; p. 446 (biogr. information).