Bourret a Paris

Bourret a Paris, circa 1790. Very fine white marble, gilt bronze and enamel, moon phase astronomical skeleton clock with centre seconds and double calendar. Rectangular white marble base standing on four engine-turned feet, the front face inlaid with a gilt bronze frieze depicting cherubs at play. Supported by four fluted columns, the semi-circular arched frame is applied with a blue enamel panel decorated with gold stars and further green white and red rosette ornaments. The movement above is flanked by two gilt bronze musician cherubs blowing horns. White enamel chapter ring with Arabic numerals, outer calendar ring and inner days of the week. Subsidiary phase of the moon at the top, surmounted by a gilt bronze ribbon knot. Gilt brass pierced and engraved hands. Brass, circular, with going barrels both for the going and the striking trains, pin-wheel escapement set on the back plate, beaded gilt bronze, half-second beating pendulum surrounding the movement, with gilt bronze sun-bob and knife edge suspension. Striking on a bell with count wheel on the back plate. Signed on a cartouche below the dial. Dim. 58 x 26 x 12 cm. Notes Bourret Noel, born near Lodcve circa 1755, he died at La Riviere Sallee, Martinique, on August 30, 1803. (For his biography, refer to: Jean Dominique Augarcte Les Ouvriers du Temps, Antiquorum Editions, Geneve 1996, p. 287).