Gallois a Paris

Gallois a Paris. Made circa 1740. Very fine, small, Louis XV eight-day going, pull-cord winding-quarter repeating, brass inlaid veneered Boulle bracket clock with pull-cord-winding alarm and matching bracket. Waisted case with oak carcass, glazed on three sides and veneered with gilt brass inlaid tortoiseshell foliate marquetry. Gilt bronze winged dragon bottom corner pieces extending into feet. Gilt metal framed glazed door with centre bottom applique of a phoenix flanked by foliate rocaille decoration, matching pediment and bracket, pediment surmounted by the figure of a winged cherub. The bracket with gilt corner mounts in the form of chased leaves and fruit tail-piece descending from the base. Gilt bronze with blue Roman numerals on white enamel cartouches, outer Arabic minute ring, inner alarm disc with Arabic numerals and pierced foliate centre on white enamel centre disc. Blued steel Louis XIV hands. Rectangular with shaped lower edge and turned baluster pillars, going barrel for the going train, knifeedge verge escapement, pendulum with silk suspension, pull cord winding repeating train, striking on two bells, pull-cord winding alarm train. Movement signed. Dim. 74 x 28 x 17 cm. overall including bracket. Notes The small size of this clock and the use of pull-quarter repeat rather than striking, the alarm feature and knife-edge verge escapement show that it was originally made for the boudoir. The knife-edge verge escapement is much quieter in operation than the Read more…