A fine gilt brass and red turtleshell boulle quarter striking religieuse, Antoine Gaudron, Paris, circa 1680, the case attributed to André Charles Boulle

7¾-inch gilt chapter ring with every minute numbered set on a velvet covered iron surround and supported by the winged figure of Chronos seated on a bench above the signature Gaudron A Paris, pierced and engraved gilt hands, similarly signed three train movement with eight baluster pillars, verge escapement with silk suspension, outside numbered countwheels with fixed pointers, pierced blued steel striking gates and striking on three top mounted bells with vertical hammers, the case with ebony mouldings and veneered with red stained turtleshell inlaid with finely cut and engraved brass, the domed cresting with urn and flambeau finials above a pierced gallery, the corners with gilt capped pilasters inlaid with shells above ribbon-tied trailing garlands, walnut back door

For a discussion on early boulle clocks and an illustration of a similar clock see Edey Winthrop A Word on Boulle Antiquarian Horological Society publication, American Section, 1996

Antoine Gaudron was born circa 1640. He was received as a Master clockmaker at St.Germain-des-Prés between 1660 and 1665 and then in Paris on 5th June 1675. He was established in the Place Dauphin by 1698 and served as a member of the Jurande between 1690 and 1692. He died in Paris in August 1714.