A LOUIS XVI STYLE GILT BRONZE MOUNTED GREEN STAINED HORN VENEERED MAHOGANY LONG CASE CLOCK Paris, circa 1885, after the model by Gilles-Paul Clauvet

the black and white enamelled dial with Roman and Arabic numerals, signed Robin / A PARIS, the movement with the Etienne Maxant stamp.

A. Droguet, Nicolas Petit, Paris, 2001, pp. 71 and 83-84; P. Verlet, French Furniture of the 18th Century, 1991, fig. 128 for eighteenth century comparables.

 

Overall in good condition. The horn with hairline cracks consistent with age. Very minor lifting in places. Losses to back edges.
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.

The original model was designed by Gilles-Paul Cauvet, before 1766, and it was presented in Lepaute's Description de plusieurs ouvrages d'horlogerie, which also mentions that the ormolu mounts were made by the sculptor and founder Etienne Martincourt. Still in his stock in 1789, Lepaute describes: "une pendule à secondes à équation faittes avec les bronzes modelés par M. Cauvet qui a la forme d'une lyre et qui est couronné par des tournesols et le fond de bois plaqué; de cette pendule il n'existe que les bronzes modelés mais elle sera faitte et achevée par lesdits neveux, elle sera plaquée en bois d'ébène ou acajou au choix dudit sr Le Paute, les ornements dorés d'or moulu et le mouvement à équation et à secondes."

Etienne Maxant was located at 4 Rue Saintonge, Paris between 1880 and 1905 and is known to have supplied movements to the best Parisan cabinet makers of the late 19th century, including most of Francois Linke's long case clocks. See a long case clock by Linke index number 551sold Christie's October 25, 2007, lot 407