A LOUIS XVI WHITE MARBLE AND ORMOLU STRIKING MANTEL CLOCK

DE BELLE, PARIS, DIALMAKER DUBUISSON, CIRCA 1785

Details

A LOUIS XVI WHITE MARBLE AND ORMOLU STRIKING MANTEL CLOCK
de belle, paris, dialmaker dubuisson, circa 1785
The drum-shaped case surmounted by figures of Venus tying a floral garland around Cupid, with quiver and arrow trophies below, the bowed breakfront base with recessed panel cast in relief with a scene of cavorting amorini, flanked by stylised flowerhead mounts, on engine-milled toupie feet, the white enamel Arabic dial signed De Belle Rue St. Honoré a Paris, with pierced gilt-metal hands and blued steel pointer for the outside calendar ring, the dial maker's signature Dubuis for Dubuisson below VI, the twin barrel movement with silk suspension and countwheel strike on bell
13½in. (34.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

An identical model is illustrated in H. Ottomeyer/P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. II, p. 247, fig. 4.6.11
Gobin Etienne, known as Dubuisson, was along with Joseph Coteau, one of the most celebrated enamellers of his era; in 1756 he became a flower painter for the Sèvres factory where he also enamelled watch cases and clock dials