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Lot Essay
Two clocks of almost identical design and signed by Saint-Germain are recorded: one is in the Residenz, Munich (illustrated in H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, vol II, Munich, 1986, p. 123, fig. 2.8.3.), the other, with a movement by Jean-Baptiste du Tertrem, was sold Christie's, New York, 1 January 1990, lot 64.
Elected as a maître-fondeur on 15 July 1748, Saint-Germain enjoyed the privilege of an ouvrier libre - enabling him to act both as an ébéniste and bronzier. He frequently supplied cases cast with animal forms and allegorical figures to the leading clockmakers of Paris, including the le Roy workshops, Etienne Lenoir and Jean-Philippe Gosselin. The quality of chasing and modelling in Saint-Germain's animal and foliate decorated cases also suggests close study of the natural world.
Elected as a maître-fondeur on 15 July 1748, Saint-Germain enjoyed the privilege of an ouvrier libre - enabling him to act both as an ébéniste and bronzier. He frequently supplied cases cast with animal forms and allegorical figures to the leading clockmakers of Paris, including the le Roy workshops, Etienne Lenoir and Jean-Philippe Gosselin. The quality of chasing and modelling in Saint-Germain's animal and foliate decorated cases also suggests close study of the natural world.