A GILT-BRONZE, TORTOISESHELL AND EBONY MANTLE CLOCK AFTER THE CELEBRATED MODEL ATTRIBUTED TO ANDRÉ CHARLES BOULLE PARIS, CIRCA 1860, THE MOVEMENT 18TH CENTURY

the movement signed J. Bte Aubry Paris.

P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection: Catalogue of Furniture, Vol. I, pp. 354-9; and Tardy, French Clocks: The World Over, p. 235, for illustrations of the 18th century model by André-Charles Boulle.

H. Ottomeyer and P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Vol. I, p. 46; and G. de Bellaigue, The James A De Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor: Furniture Clocks and Gilt Bronzes, Vol. I, p. 61.

J. D. Augarde, Les Ouvriers du Temps, Geneva, p. 110.A. Pradère, French Furniture Makers, p. 6.

The garland held in her hand is detached but available in a bag. Wire to Cupid's bow is most probably a replacement. Visible restoration to brass inlay, cracks to tortoiseshell in places with some minor losses. Scratches and wear to gilt-bronze. The glazed dial protection and its circular bronze molding is most probably a later replacement. The ebony inlay also with some very minor losses. Please note this lot contains endangered species and CITES permits will be necessary for export. Please contact the department with any questions.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present celebrated model is a copy of one of the original models attributed to André-Charles Boulle (d. 1735), now in the Wallace Collection. It is believed to be one of three known clocks. The attribution to Boulle is based on the 1715 acte de délaissement to his four sons stating: 'Une boëte de pandulle historiée d'une Vénus avec son amour dont il n'y a que le corps de la boëte fait, les bronzes n'etant que moulées et prêtes à fondre, commandée, valant avec trois autres boettes de pandulle dans le même état...2500l' (see J. P. Samoyault, André-Charles Boulle et sa Famillle, Geneva, 1979, p. 6).