Pendule à l’Etude en bronze patiné et redoré de la fin de l'époque Louis XV, vers 1765, signée ST GERMAIN

le cadran et le mouvement signés MARTIN / A PARIS, inscrits dans une borne sommée d'une lampe à huile et d'une guirlande de lauriers, flanquée d'un coq symbolisant la Vigilance et de la figure de l’Etude, sur un socle à guirlandes de laurier et rosaces feuillagées, et un contre-socle en bois noirci décoré d'entrelacs ; (le contre-socle de la fin du XIXe siècle rapporté)

The illustration is accurate, good overall condition despite the inevitable dents, scratches and marks due to the age and use. Dial has chips to winding holes. The gilding has been gently cleaned, the brown patina is slightly worn on the exposed areas, comes with a pendulum and a rewind key, the movement is complete, bell replaced, it would benefit from a cllean and service. We do not guarantee the working order. regilt during 20th century. “Please note that this condition report was made on August 31th 2016 inside Robert de Balkany's hôtel rue de Varenne; this lot will be shipped to Sotheby's galleries before the exhibit and the sale.”
"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."

Pour concevoir ce modèle, le fondeur Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain (1719-1791) s'inspira de la pendule dite "à la Geoffrin" élaborée vers 1757 par le sculpteur Laurent Guiard et le fondeur Edme Roy et qui connut un grand succès (cf. C. Baulez, "La Pendule à la Geoffrin", in L'Estampille/L'Objet d'art n°224, avril 1989, p. 41). Pour la figure de l'Etude devant orner son modèle, Saint-Germain s'adressa très probablement au sculpteur Louis-Félix Delarue (1730-1777) (cf. J-D. Augarde, "Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain, bronzier" in L’Estampille l’Objet d’art, n°308, décembre 1996, p. 79). Un exemplaire très similaire, également signé de Saint-Germain et de l'horloger Martin, est conservé au musée Gulbenkian à Lisbonne (ill. in H. Ottomeyer et P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 161, fig. 3.3.5).