Beschreibung:

A French gilt brass mounted Boulle 'religieuse' table clock with pull-quarter repeat The movement signed for Louis Ourry, Paris, late 17th century and later The two train movement with rectangular plates united by five tapered baluster pillars pinned at the rear and signed Louis Ourry AParis to the lower margin of the backplate, the going train now with Brocot type escapement, the strike train with scroll-cut sculpted steel gate and high position countwheel for sounding the hours on a bell mounted within the superstructure of the case, the pull-wound quarter repeat mechanism with separate hammer for sounding the hours on the same bell and two for sounding quarters on a further pair of bells, the 7.5 inch circular twelve-piece Roman numeral enamel cartouche dial with delicate foliate strapwork rosette decorated matted centre within chapter ring with scroll-chased infill around numerals and every minute numbered to the outer track, with mask applied to the rear of the dial plate incorporating matted infill to the square upper angles to allow secure fitting into the rectangular dial aperture of the case above decorative gilt brass mount modelled as a pair of standing angel-winged nymphs supporting the dial, now in a case with flambeau urn finials to the fine engraved brass, pewter and red shell foliate scroll contra-parti marquetry veneered domed superstructure above cast gilt brass gallery inset frieze incorporating projecting pedestals for the second tier of larger flambeau finials and complex brass bound ebony mouldings to cornice, the front with repeating leaf cast brass surround to the arch-glazed front door with marquetry scroll borders and conforming infill to upper angles flanked by full-height Corinthian strip pilasters with fine cast capitals over geometric strapwork and stylised leafy plant decorated shafts, the sides with tall rectangular windows with cast brass surrounds within foliate borders and flanked by conforming pilasters, the rear with walnut veneered panel door, on moulded base with leaf-cast gilt brass feet, (the case possibly 19th century, clock generally heavily distressed commensurate with being dropped although veneers are generally intact), 58.5cm (23ins) high. Louis Ourry is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume 2 as working in Paris circa 1680. He is further recorded on the British Museum website as becoming a master watchmaker in 1684. The movement of the current lot is of fine quality and incorporates pull-quarter repeat which is rarely seen on French clocks of this period. The case appears to have been made for the movement and dial and is also of suitably fine quality however the pattern for the marquetry does not appear to match other 'period' examples as analysed in Plomp, Reinier Early French Pendulum Clocks, 1658-1700. Further investigation confirms the presence of comparable Napoleon III 'revival' examples with the same basic pattern of marquetry, this would suggest that the current case was made in the 19th century to replace the original, probably due to wear and tear. Condition report disclaimer