A very rare Louis XVI ormolu and marble mantel clock, "Le deserteur", Merra FRENCH, CIRCA 1775

11-cm enamel dial with Roman numerals and signed Merra à Paris, paste-set hands, flat bottomed countwheel bell striking movement with tic-tac escapement and silk suspended pendulum, drum-case surmounted by trophees, depicting scenes from the opera Le deserteur, breakfront marble base with guilloche mounts raised on bun feet

Front glass lacking. Dial with chip and small repair at right winding hole. Movement able to function, but dirty and in need of a good cleaning. Case in original and slightly dirty condition. With some minor rubbing to the steps of the base and the sides of the back of the case. Marble with a repaired corner. Two flags of trophees lacking. One gun broken but tip of the gun still with the clock. Together with a pendulum.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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."

The opera Le deserteur is written by Michel-Jean Sedaine (1717-1797) and first performed in 1769. The depicted moment is when the deserter, whose head is already visable behind the bars on the background,  is going to be imprisoned by four soldiers.

This model is depicted and discussed in E. Niehuser, Die französische Bronzeuhr, München 1997, no. 278