A FRENCH LOUIS XV ORMOLU SMALL CARTEL TIMEPIECE WITH PULL-QU...

Estimate

£400 - £600

A FRENCH LOUIS XV ORMOLU SMALL CARTEL TIMEPIECE WITH PULL-QUARTER REPEATLE LIEVRE, PARIS, MID 18th CENTURYThe circular four pillar eight-day single going barrel movement now with platform lever escapement regulated by sprung bimetallic balance, and pull quarter repeat operating two hammers for the hours and quarters, the backplate with visible repeat work and signed Le Lievre AParis to right hand margin, the 4,75 inch circular convex blue-on-white enamel Roman numeral dial signed LELIEVRE, A PARIS to centre and with Arabic five minutes to outer track, with fine scroll pierced and engraved gilt brass hands set behind hinged convex glazed cavetto moulded cast gilt bezel, the case cast and chased with a generous asymmetric openwork rococo scroll crest issuing a pendant foliate floral trial to the right-hand side continuing down over the rocaille bordered dial aperture, the left-hand side with leafy foliage issuing from an asymmetric arrangement of layered generous foliate scrolls set beneath the dial incorporating a fish scale fretwork panel to front and terminated with floral blooms, the rear with brass plate incorporating a shaped hinged door.44.5cm (17.5ins) high, 25.5cm (10ins) wide, 10cm (4ins) deep.The layout of the repeat work used in the present timepiece is derived from one of the earliest forms first utilised by English makers for 'silent pull-repeating' table clocks from the mid 1670's onwards, but with further refinements to negate the need for a pumping arbor for the quarters (see Dzik, Sunny BENEATH THE DIAL, English Clock Pull Repeat Striking 1675-1725 page 125).

More Information

Movement is in dusty neglected condition however the going train will run and the pull-repeat work is operational. As catalogued the platform lever escapement is a later modification replacing the earlier pendulum escapement however all wheels from the third wheel inclusive below appear original. We do not have a winding key of the correct size so are unable to test the mainspring wind fully; the size of the barrel suggests that the duration may be longer than eight-days. The repeat work is operational but currently out of sync with the hands hence requires adjustment; the mechanism is now only fitted with one later bell hence for the repeat work to sound correctly at least one bell and its mount will be required. The movement will need a clean/service before putting to use. The dial has some enamel chipping around the winding hole otherwise appears free from noticeable damage; the minute hand has been repaired. The case is generally in very good original condition with old gilding showing relatively minor edge wear. Two of the four movement securing screws are replacements and the fish scale fret is also probably a replacement. There is a small hole beneath the fretwork panel probably to allow insertion of a pin to start the pendulum (when one was fitted). The rear has some distortion to the brass panel otherwise is in good condition. Timepiece does not have a winding key.