An important French Louis XVI ormolu and marble musical sculptural mantel clock, Gavelle A Paris, circa 1785

14-cm enamel dial with Roman numerals signed in red Gavelle L.é A Paris, pierced and engraved gilt fleur-de-lis hands, flat bottomed movement with anchor escapement and silk suspended pendulum, countwheel striking on a bell with connection to the fusee and chain driven musical organ mechanism, 26-cm wooden cylinder playing one of thirteen melodies on twenty-four wooden pipes, drum case supported by a fluted white marble column surmounted by an elaborate ormolu trophy, further trophies and garlands below, flanked by two deities on ormolu mounted fluted black marble columns, moulded break front base with a pierced ormolu gallery, finely cast trellis divided by ormolu capped fluted black marble pilasters, a central medallion with trophy incorporating musical instruments, break front plinth with a relief depicting playing putti and furhter foliate mounts, raised on bun feet

Gavelle l’aîné refers to Pierre Gavelle (1753 – 1802), son of Jean-Jacques, and brother of Maurice-Jacques, all clockmakers. He became master clockmaker in 1771 and worked together with his father between 1771 and 1781. He is recorded working in the Rue Saint-Denis in 1785 and Rue aux Juifs in 1800. Lit.; Tardy, Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, pp.291.