An attractive Empire ormolu and marble skeleton clock with calendar, Lepaute

17-cm enamel chapter ring with Roman numerals and finely engraved ormolu bezel signed Lepaute A Paris, fine blued Breguet hands and sweep seconds, enamel subsidiaries below with similar bezels for month/season, sign of the zodiac and date/day, weight driven movement of two week duration with large first wheel and pinwheel escapement, heavy knife-edge suspended gridiron pendulum with beat adjustment to the crutch, seperately spring driven countwheel bell striking mechanism mounted in the lower part of the shaped brass frame, set on ormolu moulded verde antico blocks mounted on a plain plinth raised on ormolu bun feet

This lot is part of a group of skeleton clocks with this distinctively shaped frame in combination with several dials and seperate striking mechanism which is wound through the central arbour of the lower subsidiary dial. See for comparable clocks; Derek Roberts, Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, West Chester, 1989, p. 30, P. Kjellberg, Encyclopépie de La Pendule Française du moyen age au XXe siècle, Paris, 1997, p. 316 - 317.

An identical similarly signed clock is illustrated in Tardy, French Clocks the World Over, Part two, Paris, 1981, p. 324.

chapter ring in original condition with one hairline crack between II and III and a 10mm x 8mm x 8mm triangular repair, subsidiaries all with one or two hairline cracks but nothing major, good hands, movement able to function and complete, needs to be cleaned, pulleys possibly replaced but well done, marble in good condition, weights tarnished and with a few dents, together with a pendulum and two weights, no winder
"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."

See for a note on J.J. Lepaute lot 194.