A LOUIS XV GILT-BRONZE AND PORCELAIN MOUNTED MANTEL CLOCK, CIRCA 1745 AND LATER |

later 5½-inch enamel dial signed Autray à Paris, asymmetric winding holes, the movement with five baluster pillars, anchor escapement with silk suspension, short pendulum with curved bob, numbered outside count wheel striking on a bell, signed on the backplate Etienne LeNoir A Paris, the scroll-shaped case with eleven associated Meissen porcelain figures, including the group 'Spanish Lovers' modelled by Kändler, circa 1740; three Commedia dell'Arte figures, Dottore Boloardo modelled by Peter Reinicke and Kändler, Scaramouche and dancing Harlequine, circa 1743-44; a figure of Scaramouche with a hound, circa 1750; three putti figures on plinths from the four seasons, representing Summer, Autumn and Winter, circa 1745; an allegorical figure of Hope, a female with a bird on her lap, circa 1745-50; a model of a pug resting on its haunches, circa 1750; and a classical figure with Janus head, circa 1750; and two Chelsea porcelain figures, of a pilgrim and companion, circa 1760; the whole enriched with porcelain flowerheads, 18th century, with crowned 'C' mark

Anon, Ombersley Court Contents Inventory, circa 1825-36, p.38; 'Saloon / A costly French clock by Autray [sic] mounted in Ormolu with a variety of China figures, flowers etc., on a verde antico stand ormolu handles and glass shade';
M. H. Blutley, Ombersley Court, Inventories of Heirlooms, 1863, p.132; 'Saloon / An elegant French time piece ormolu mounnted and ornamented with several dresden china figures under glass shade' This clock is photographed in the Saloon in the 1860s under a glass dome.

Dial signature rubbed, possible stress crack around left winding hole, verdigris to bezel at VI. Movement is complete but very dirty and not running, it will require complete clean, service and overhaul. With pendulum but no winder. Gilt-bronze mounts in overall good condition. With minor old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Porcelain: The main group of a gallante and companion, 'Spanish Lovers', circa 1740, 19cm. high, overall in good condition, the plumes in her hat are restore replacement and the brim in her hat and the green enamel has been repainted to disguise some restorations, there is a stress crack to the underside of her skirt, extending to the hem at the reverse, some scattered chipping and overpainting to the flowers on the base, firing crack to the back of her skirt, the underside of the figure has a thick layer of pitch. A Meissen figure of Scaramouche with a dog, circa 1750, 11.5cm. high, the object in is right hand has been chipped off and cracked through his wrist with signs of old restoration, chipping to the tips of fingers of his left hand, otherwise in good order, several small firing faults, including a break to the dog's foreleg. A Meissen figure of Scaramouche, circa 1744, the index finger pointing up on his right hand has been chipped off and small chip to the thumb, the index finger of his left hand is also chipped with associated overpainting, chip to one petal of the blue flower of the base, small chip to the bow on his left hand stocking, the underside has some pitch and resin built up on it. Won't stand freely when off the base. A Meissen figure of Dottore, circa 1744, his raised left hand is detached, one leaf with chip to the tip, some pitch resin to the underside of the figure. A Meissen figure of Harlequine, circa 1743, large chip to the brim of her hat approx. 2cm. long, cheap to one leaf of the base and some firing blemish to the tip of her nose, small chip to bow in her hat, the underside covered in pitch resin. An allegorical Meissen figure of Hope, a female with a bird on her lap, circa 1745-50, 12.5cm. high, chip to the tip of her left index finger and hem of skirt, the left handside of the rockwork mound has been ground down just below her skirt, presumably to fit it on the ormolu base, some minor chipping to the tip of the raised bird wing, pitch resin to the underside of the figure. A small Meissen model of a pug, circa 1750, 7cm. wide, lacking tail, generally in good order but in need of cleaning. Three Meissen figures emblematic of Winter, Autumn and Summer, all circa 1745, Winter with chip to right little finger, big toe of left foot, the side of the right foot to the instep has been removed, presumably to accommodate the mount, some pitch to the underside and rubbing to gilding; Autumn restored to his raised right arm, to both feet, these repairs are old and disguise losses, pitch to the underside of the base; the figure of Summer with the blade of her sickle lost, chipping to the ears of corn, restored to her left arm and shoulder and through her neck, and restored to her right foot. A Meissen classical figure with Janus head, circa 1750, object that would have been in left hand lacking, top of scarf in right hand lacking, some scattered chipping. One figure, which was probably the Meissen figure of Spring is lacking and has been replaced by a Chelsea figure of a gallante, the lot includes this Chelsea figure and a companion figure of a female St. James pilgrim. The male figure, circa 1760 has right hand missing and chip to the brim of his hat, would have been holding a staff now lacking, scattered chipping to flowers on tree trunk. The companion figure which has a slight different base has both hands missing and has been broken through the waist. Neither figure is marked but a Chelsea porcelain from the old red anchor or early gold anchor period. Flowers are probably 18th century and have typical scattered chipping, several detached.
"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."