François Linke 1855 - 1946 A gilt-bronze mounted kingwood and satiné RÉGULATEUR DE PARQUET Paris, early 20th century, index number 768

the white enamel dial inscribed F. Linke /A Paris , signed F. Linke to the right hand side of the tapering gilt-bronze border, the movement numbered 20519 with the Etienne Maxent / Paris pastille, the dial case, flanked by two doors providing access to the movement, the front fitted with one spring-released glazed door. The movement numbered 20002.

C. Payne, François Linke, 2005, pp. 184-185, pl. 200, for a watercolor sketch of the present lot and pl. 201, for an illustration of the present model clock

Overall in unrestored condition; gilt-bronze most probably with little to no gilding left underneath the extensive tarnishing, oxidation and pitting; there are two long vertical age cracks to side of hood flanking dial over lines of construction and numerous losses to the veneers around the rectangular block base and spreading case; minor chips around edges of key holes to enamel dial; original pendulum with oxidation; pendulum cannot be attached to movement.
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.

As discussed by Christopher Payne, an original version of this clock was exhibited at the Exposition d'Art Français du XVIIIe Siècle, catalogued by L. Roger-Miles, Galerie Jamarin, Paris, 1916 catalogue number 123. The inspiration to remake this clock in the 19th century may well have been various loan exhibitions. An original model of this pendule-gaine, veneered in ebony, was loaned by the Musée Conservatoire national des arts et métiers. Now at Versailles, it was shown in a line engraving in the Exposition rétrospective de l'union centrale des arts décoratifs , Paris 1882, De Champeau & Others, 'Les arts du bois,' pub. Quantin, 1883, p. 100. Six years after this loan, in 1888, the kingwood and tulipwood veneered example, now in the Frick Collection, was shown at the Hotel de Chimay Exposition de l'art français sous Louis XIV et sous Louis XV, lent by the Vicomte de Saint-Georges, and again at the Petit Palais Musée Retrospectif at the Exposition Universelle of 1900. This long-case clock is a copy of the example made by Weisweiler, with the signature of Beneman added possibly when the clock was repaired. Reputedly owned by Marie-Antoinette, the clock and its companion barometer were originally sold in November 1793 for 7,899 livres 19 sous to 'Citoyen Breton cadet'. Etienne Maxant was located at 4 Rue Saintonge, Paris between 1880 and 1905 and is known to have supplied movements to most of Francois Linke's long case clocks.