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Geneva, Mar 29, 2009

LOT 295

Louis XIV Quarter-Striking Boulle Clock Gribelin a Paris. Made circa 1710. Very fine and rare, Louis XIV, three-train, quarter striking, ormolumounted tortoiseshell and brass Boulle marquetry bracket clock.

C. Regence form with arched cornice, ormolu border and four flaming urn finials, above, a pierced foliate cornice, the body of the case glazed on three sides, the canted corners with female herms representing the four seasons above fruiting vine mounts, raised on a scroll base with dolphin corner mounts and a shell and lion mask mount in the center, on ormolu toupie feet; the whole finely veneered in marquetry in brass on grounds of red tortoiseshell forming foliate strapwork, scrolls and figures, ormolu finial of a figure of a seated child in classical drapery, ormolu front door, the back door fitted with an internal mirror. D. Ormolu with white enamel cartouches, radial blue Roman numerals, outer minutes with every minute numbered, chased and engraved strapwork and foliate scroll center, gilt bronze mask below decorated with two female figures of Flora and Urania flanking a winged cherub holding a pair of dividers over a globe. Well-pierced blued steel hands. M. Rectangular, 140 x 170 mm, brass, three massive spring barrels for the going and striking trains, anchor escapement, steel rod brass-bob pendulum with spring suspension, two count wheels on the back plate for the hour and quarter striking, on three bells with three hammers. Movement signed. Dim. Height 72 cm, 43 cm, depth 19 cm.