A gilt-bronze cartel clock attributed to Jacques Caffiéri (1678-1755), the movement signed Etienne le Noir à Paris Louis XV, circa 1735

the gilt-bronze dial with Arabic and cartouche Roman blue numerals on a white ground, the cresting surmounted by a Cupid seated on a scallopshell and holding a trail of fruits and flowers, the left side cast with a dragon, the right side with a  winged cherub, the apron with a scallopshell above an eagle, the case cast with rocaille, guilloche and foliage

In overall very good condition. A very strong model, superbly cast. The gilding is more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Some very minor casting flaws. The gilding is slightly rubbed and dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. A very minor section of leaf is missing from the finial at the base.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Tardy, French Clocks the World Over, Part One, 5th Edition,1981, p. 200, plate XXXIX.
F. J. B. Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, Volume II, Furniture, Gilt-Bronze and Porcelain, New York, 1966, p. 563.

The superlative sculptural quality of the casting and chasing on this cartel clock with its luxuriant rocaille, flowers and foliage represent the apogee of the rococo and conceivably is the work of one of the leading bronziers of the period Jacques Caffiéri (1678-1755). His clocks convey the fluidity of movement with figures, cupids, dragons and eagles either precariously perched on top of  the clock or clinging to the sides or apron. An attribution to him can be made of this magnificent cartel clock on the basis of the similarity to other clock cases made by him and his collaboration with Etienne Le Noir-see for example Tardy, op. cit., p. 200, plate XXXIX, for  a cartel clock with a dial signed by le Noir and the case attributed to Caffiéri, the cresting surmounted by a Cupid with  foliage and flowers.

Jacques Caffiéri (1678-1755):
He was a Parisian fondeur-ciseleur and sculptor and was elected maître fondeur-ciseleur shortly after 1715 and his earliest recored work was the design for a Pall for the Corporation of Fondeurs-Ciseleurs, commissioned in that year. From 1736 onwards, he was constantly in the employ of the French Crown being appointed fondeur-ciseleur des Batîments du Roi and producing works for Versailles, Fontainebleau, Choisy, Marly and other royal palaces. Caffiéri's work was in the extreme rococo style of which he was master according to F.J.B. Watson, op. cit., p. 563.  

Etienne Lenoir (1699) received Master 1717-after 1778:
Between 1748 and 1778, he was established in a house on the Quai des Orfèvres, Parish of Saint-Barthélemy.