Pendule au lion en bronze doré de la fin de l'époque Louis XV, vers 1770, le cadran signé Pre LE ROY / A PARIS, d'après le modèle de François Vion

le cadran émaillé reposant sur un lion et sommé d'une cassolette à guirlande de feuilles de laurier, sur une base en bronze doré et placage d'ébène ornée de feuilles de chênes et rubans

Vente Koller Zürich, le 20 septembre 2010, lot 1147

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate, despite being too bright. The gilding is very slightly tarnished to some places. The glass panel of the back is broken. There are some minor cracks to the veneer of the base. Two circular foliates of the base are associated and one other is missing. Please note that we do not guarantee the mechanism is in working order. Impressive and refined model. Beautiful chasing.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. 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. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.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."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Pierre Le Roy, horloger reçu maître en 1737

Cette pendule tire son modèle d'un dessin conservé à la bibliothèque Doucet, provenant de l'atelier du bronzier François Vion, reçu maître en 1764. Le prince de Condé possédait, d'après l'inventaire dressé en 1779 au Palais Bourbon, une pendule au lion placée dans "un cabinet donnant sur la terrasse". Un exemplaire déposé par le Mobilier National au ministère des Finances est illustré dans H. Ottomeyer et P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, 1986, t. I, p. 193, fig. 3.11.4. Un autre exemplaire avec un socle similaire au nôtre est reproduit dans P. Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la Pendule française, Paris, 1997, p. 278, fig. E. Les collections du château de Pavlovsk conservent également un exemplaire de ce modèle (cf. E. Ducamp, Pavlosk, les Collections, Paris, 1993, p. 178).