REGULATEUR DE CHEMINEE A SONNERIE DES HEURES ET DEMIES, QUANTIEME ET REMONTOIR D'EGALITE, vers 1785

annular 12,5 cm white enamel dial with centre seconds, day of the week in the upper semi-circle with corresponding zodiacal symbol in the lower, date between the Roman hour and Arabic minute numerals; movement visible through the centre, Graham-type deadbeat escapement with depth adjustment and thirty second remontoire, knife-edge suspended grid-iron pendulum with enamel temperature scale marked froid and chaud (cold, hot), fine regulation and beat adjustment on the crutch, hour and half hour striking on bell; gilt A-frame plates with rosette fitments at the foot rising from an oval white marble base with ormolu mounts.

Collection Marcel Mennesson et par descendance aux propriétaires actuels

BIBLIOGRAPHIE

Samuel Guye & Henri Michel, Mesures du temps et de l'espace. Horloges, montres et instruments anciens, Fribourg 1970, p. 179, fig. 166

Condition: Enamel dial in generally very good original condition but with a minor chip to the inner edge at XI; movement will just run but needs a clean and service, original wheelwork throughout, frame and base in generally good condition and retaining the original gilding, some residue from sticky tape to the rear legs of the frame, marble base with minor edge chips. With pendulum and winder.
"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."

Skeleton clocks of this type are rare in late 18^th century French clock-making. A slightly more complex, but non-striking, example with inverted 'Y'-frame but using a similar remontoire, was part of the Time Museum collection (see Sotheby & Co, Masterpieces from the Time Museum, New York 2 December 1999, lot 64). Two others are shown in Tardy, French Clocks the World over, part two, from the Louis XVI style to Louis XVIII-Charles X period, 5^th edition, Paris, 1981, p. 194 and p. 208-9.