Lot 86
  • 86

A gilt-bronze mounted white marble mantel clock, late Louis XV, signed Pierre Gouthière and dated 1767

Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 EUR
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Description

  • white marble, gilt-bronze, enamel
  • Haut. 30,5 cm, larg. 11 cm, prof. 11 cm; Height 12, width 4 1/3 in, depth 4 1/3 in
the enameld circles in a covered vase with heads of rams and garlands, on a fluted column with asparagus, the base with the inscription FAIT PAR GOUTHIERE CISELEUR DOREUR DU ROY QUAY PELLETIER 1767, on a square base

Provenance

Ader, Picard and Tajan, Paris, 16 June 1981, lot 16

Literature

Literature:
- H. Ottomeyer and P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen Die Bronzearbeiten des Spätbarock und Klassizismus, t. II, Munich, 1986, p. 566, fig. 5

Literature references:
- P. Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la pendule française du Moyen Âge au XXe siècle, Paris, 1997, p. 286, fig. A
- C. Vignon and C. Baulez (dir.), Pierre Gouthière ciseleur-doreur du Roi, Paris, 2016, p. 210, n. 18

Condition

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate despite being a little bit too bright. Good overall condition. The ormolu chasing and quality is similar to the other examples known and considered made by Pierre Gouthière. There are the inevitable surface scratches and minor rubbed and tarnished areas to the gilding. There are some chips with minor losses to the white marble, especially to the foot of the vase (visible on the catalogue illustration). As stated in the saleroom notice, the ormolu square base is probably later. The movement is later. There are hairline cracks and chips to the enamel of the circles' dial. Please note that we do not guarantee that the mechanism is in working order. Very delicate clock
"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."

Catalogue Note

Pierre Gouthière, recently honored by the Musée des Arts décoratifs, is one of the most important and famous bronze artists from the second half of the 18th century.

Pierre Gouthière, "chaser-gilder to the King"

Pierre Gouthière (1731 or January 1732-1813) began with a Parisian master gilder, bearing the trademark of Le Soleil d'Or [the Sun of Gold]. Received master status as gilder-damask artisan in 1758, he worked notably for the great goldsmith François-Thomas Germain and received on 7 November 1767 the title of doreur seul ordinaire des Menus-Plaisirs [ordinary gilder to Menus-Plaisirs (ceremony preparation)], then in 1775 the title of ciseleur-doreur du comte d'Artois [chaser-gilder to the Count of Artois]. The signature on our pendulum clock is between the two decisive stages of his career, just after his titled accession as a gilder to Menus-Plaisirs.

Amassing orders from wealthy clientele, he worked for the Countess Du Barry in Louveciennes and Fontainebleau, then for the Crown, notably with works for Marie Antoinette's Turkish cabinet in Fontainebleau, including the famous dromedary chenets ordered in 1777 (Musée du Louvre, inv. OA 5260), and for the Count of Artois's Bagatelle Pavilion. Other members of the aristocracy included the Marquis of Argenson, the Dukes of Aumont and Duras, the Duchess of Mazarin, and Princess Kinsky. Gouthière earned a true reputation as a bronze virtuoso since the 1760s.

Altars, Antiquity vases, and clocks with horizontal dial from Pierre Gouthière's production

The column shaping topped with a vase with ram heads is not unique among Gouthiere's work. On the same model, he made the small altar or "monument" of Madame Geoffrin in ivory, white marble, and gilt bronze. It retains the same dimensions, and adds to the central column supporting the vase two female figures holding the ram heads. Several examples, always in different materials, are referenced in the most famous collections of the 18th century such as those of Radix de Sainte-Foy, Harenc de Presle, and the Baron of Saint-Julien. At the time of the sale of this last collection in June 1784, we learned that the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Feuillet was given the model. This altar was probably to be accompanied by a pair of ewers with a mermaid and faun, the model of which is rendered by two drawings and several copies kept in private collections (ill. in exh. cat. Pierre Gouthière, 2016, pp. 164 169, n. 4 and 5, figs 94 and 95). Madame Du Barry ordered a silver-gilt garniture of this type from Gouthière. Concerning this Antiquity altar, a few examples are known today, including that of Madame Geoffrin, still kept by her descendants, but also productions in private collections, one of which is illustrated in the aforementioned exhibition catalogue Pierre Gouthière (p. 175, figure 97); another copy was sold by Christie's, London, 12 December 2002, lot 133.

A few other pendulum clocks of the same shape and size are now listed. All in different materials, they bear the same signature: one of black lacquered wood and yellow-painted grain in imitation of Portor marble was sold in Paris (auction Beaussant and Lefèvre, Paris, 29 May 1996, lot 197); one of yew with black painting is part of the collections at the Cognacq-Jay Museum (inv. J 315); another of lapis lazuli and agate from the former collection of Baron Revelstoke, now part of a private collection, and presented during the exhibition Pierre Gouthière at the Musée des Arts décoratifs.