M*B (with a crown), punchmark for Mathieu Bachelet, Paris, circa 1580. Fine and rare gilt-metal striking table clock with alarm. | L\'ART DE L\'HORLOGERIE EN FRANCE DE XVIe AU XXe SIÈCLE | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 14th November 1993

L\'ART DE L\'HORLOGERIE EN FRANCE DE ...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 14, 1993

LOT 3

M*B (with a crown), punchmark for Mathieu Bachelet, Paris, circa 1580. Fine and rare gilt-metal striking table clock with alarm.

CHF 60,000 - 70,000

Sold: CHF 66,700

C. Circular, gilt brass the band engraved with four oval vignettes with landscape scenes representing the Four Seasons linked by an interlaced band to four further upright panels depicting the Four Elements, all in the manner of Etienne Delaune, the borders with mythological figures and beasts each supporting a cornucopia, hinged fusee inspection door inset into the side. Pierced shallow domed top, engraved with a variety of grotesque masks and rosettes. Push-fit base plate engraved with a complex pattern of fruit, foliage, mythological birds and animais with interlaced circular vignettes and surrounding a blank cartouche. D. Engraved Roman hour chapter-ring attached to the case dome, with replaced concentric Arabic chaptered alarm disk. Single bluedsteel arrow pattern hand. M. Circular gilt-brass plates with classical turned pillars, gilt brass trains, the going with tall narrow fusee and gut, two wheels and verge escapement with plain twoarm steel balance, now with single turn balance spring and Barrow (Gloria) type endless screw regulator. S-pattern plain steel cock secured with a pin. Hour striking train also with gut fusee, the locking plate under the large shallow domed bell beneath the dial. Alarm train with vertical toothed steel great wheel attached to the going barrel end, with verge escapement. Four bun feet and wishbone locking spring on the baseplate. Stamped with original maker's punch on the backplate, later engraved signature inside baseplate. In good condition. Diam. 138 mm., 107 mm. high.

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Mathieu Bachelet is recorded as married to Catherine Langellier, their daughter being baptised at Saint-Severin in 1577. Established in the Cité in 1580. French clocks of the Lite 16th. century are infinitely rarer than their German counterparts, and often of higher quality. This particular example is of large size and well engraved with all the expected features of interest in the movement. Several clocks of similar design are included in Tardy, La Pendule Française, Paris, 1981, Vol. I, pp. 79-83.