A fine quarter striking gilt-bronze-mounted ebony, turtleshell and boulle pedestal clock, Jacques Clouzier, Paris

10-inch twelve-piece enamel cartouche dial with foliate engraved centre, the three train square plated movement with six vase-shaped pillars, verge escapement and adjustable silk suspension, the backplate signed Clouzier A Paris and mounted with two numbered count wheels, well-pierced blued steel striking gates, striking on three top-mounted bells, the domed case surmounted by a male figure in drapery amongst clouds flanked by four flambeau finials, above glazed front and sides, the front mounted with a reclining classical female with a pelican to her side and with a white enamel cartouche signed Clouzier à Paris beneath, the canted corners and sides mounted with gilt-bronze classical female caryatid figures standing on leaf-cast corbels, the interior with inlaid chequer floor and foliate inlaid back board in the manner of André Charles Boulle, on foliate toupie feet; the shaped tapering pedestal incorporating a door and mounted with a female mask, stylised foliage and scallopshells, on paw feet, the top mounted with a pair of brackets to support a candle stand, stored within the pedestal when not in use

Probably acquired in Paris by Simon Harcourt (1714-1777), whilst ambassador to Paris 1768-1772. Thence by family descent.
Sold as lot 85, in these Rooms, 11th June 2003.

Dial in good condition. Movement in good original condition and appears to run but would benefit from a clean, some minor alteration to suspension. Gilding worn on clock case and pedestal, minor cracks and losses to the turtleshell, front glass cracked, the pedestal with replaced top. With replaced pendulum, winder, case key and regulation key.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Comparative Literature:
The Metropolitian Museum of Art Bulletin, Spring 1989, French Decorative Arts during the reign of Louis XIV 1654-1715, p. 16.
Alvar González-Palacios, Il Patrimonio artistico del Quirinale, Gli Arredi Francesi, Milan, 1985, pp. 81 and 82, illustrates two boulle clocks with an identical reclining female with a pelican on the front of the clock .
Arnout Père, Lithographs Décorations intérieures style Louis XIV composées par Jean Berain, published, Paris, 1964, pl. 13.

The pedestal of the clock is closely related to a pedestal by Jean Berain circa 1650, reproduced here in fig. 1, published by Arnout Père op. cit., pl. 13, which is of identical form with a female mask mounted on a tablet with a demi-lune apron and mounted with trails of husks.

There is a related boulle clock on pedestal in the Metropolitian Museum which is thought to be the production of Andrè-Charles Boulle's workshop. It is of the same slender tapering form with the lozenge at the front with a demi-lune apron. The espangnolette mount with a neo-classical headdress, the ribbon-tied swags of husks and acanthus leaves at the base are also very similar as are the flambeau finials.

Boulle worked with other sculptors, painters and artisans in the Grand Galerie of the Louvre and his lodgings and the workshop were near those of Jean Berain. The maker of the Metropolitan clock was Thuret, reputedly Boulle's relative who was the son-in-law of Berain and the three would appear to have collaborated on the Metropolitan piece and Boulle produced the case following Berain's engraved designs for the shape of the pedestal and many of the gilt-bronze mounts. Apparently two related versions of the Metropolitan clock and the pedestal are in English Private collections and derive from an original model that was suplied by Boulle to the marquis de Louvois, Louis XVI's Minister of War and the Arts.

A similar mount to that upon the pedestal can be seen on a boulle clock on pedestal sold as lot 26, Sotheby's, Monaco, 25th June 1983.

Jacques Clouzier received Master 1692. Rue St.-Antoine, 1726, rue des Prêtres St. Paul, 1748. He signed his watches and clocks 'Clouzier à Paris'.