Esaïé Huguenin à La Chaux-de-Fond

Esaïé Huguenin à La Chaux-de-Fond, circa 1720. Fine eight-day going, pull cord winding quarter repeating, Boulle type brass inlaid veneered cartel with matching bracket, so-called cul de lampe. Waisted case of oak, glazed on three sides veneered with gilt brass inlaid tortoiseshell marquetry. Gilt bronze foliate bottom corner pieces extending into feet. Gilt metal framed glazed door with centre bottom applique of a griffin flanked by foliate rocaille decoration. Matching pediment and bracket. The pediment is surmounted by the figure of a child seated on a sphere and looking to the right. The bracket with gilt mounts in the form of exotic heads rising from fronds and foliage and withleaf and fruit tail-piece descending from a fronded base. Gilt bronze with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring on enamel cartouches. Blued steel Louis XIV hands. Rectangular with turned pillars, going barrel for the going train, verge escapement, pendulum with silk suspension. Pull cord winding repeating train, striking on three bells.Signed on the dial and the back plate.Dim. 110 x 42 x 19 cm. with the cul de lampe.