THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN (Lots 32-35)
A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED VERNIS MARTIN BRACKET CLOCK

BY BALTHAZAR LIEUTAUD

Details
A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED VERNIS MARTIN BRACKET CLOCK
By Balthazar Lieutaud
The circular enamel dial with Roman numerals and Arabic chapters , inscribed 'TAVERNIER A PARIS', the glazed door with asymmetrical rocaille decoration, the case decorated overall with flowers against a pale-blue background, the finial and sides with foliate scrolling mounts, the tapering bracket conformingly decorated and terminating in a foliate boss, the twin-barrel movement with later anchor escapement and calibrated cartwheel strike on bell, the backplate signed 'Tavernier A Paris', with key and winder, a strip of brass lacking to the top section, stamped 'B. LIEUTAUD', probably redecorated
13½ in. (34 cm.) wide; 39½ in. (100 cm.) high; 9 in.(23 cm.) deep
Sale room notice
The width of this lot is 15 1/2 in. (39 cm.) and not as stated in the catalogue.

Lot Essay

Balthazar Lieutaud was elected maître in 1749. Established first in the rue de la Pelleterie and then rue d'Enfer, Paris, Lieutaud is known to have worked with such maître-bronziers as Charles Grimpelle, Edmé Roye and Caffieri Jeune.
The Tavernier dynasty of horlogers flourished in Paris from circa 1740-1820. This clock is likely to be by Jean-Pierre Tavernier (maître-horloger in 1746), who was established in the rue de Bucy in 1748 and published his 'Table de différence du temps vrai au temps moyen' in 1754.
A related vérnis martin bracket clock stamped B. Lieutaud is in the Passerat collection (illustrated in Tardy, La Pendule Français, vol. I. p. 161.), while a further japanned bracket clock stamped B. Lieutaud was offered anonymously at Sotheby's London, 5 July 1985, lot 94.

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