Clock Of The Allegory Of Maritime Trade In Gilt Bronze - Louis XVI Period Circa 1775

Exceptional mercury-gilt bronze clock, allegory of the maritime trade of the Kingdom of France with the Levant, decorated with the profile of Louis XVI "protecting the navy and Freedom of Trade". The dial is carried by a sailing ship with a prow decorated with the arms of France, loaded with goods and bales, a Turkish boatman holding an oar and presenting a box full of spices, facing the goddess of Fortune on a cornucopia, supporting a frame with the profile of the young Louis XVI and a parchment, a putti pulling a rope to raise the anchor. On the phylactery is inscribed: "I sail at the mercy of fortune and protect the god Neptune". On the blackened wooden counter-base supported by four skates, reserves present a frieze of acanthus leaves and rosette spandrels. On the dial, the signature of the clockmaker Poitevin in Lorient, active in the 1770s-80s. All of these elements allow us to date this clock from the very beginning of the Louis XVI period around 1775, in the so-called Greek period. The structure of the clock with its boat and the characters remain Louis XV when the decoration of the base is in the Greek style, announcing the Louis XVI style. Our model is close to that of the old Doucet collection. We know of a case signed by Nicolas Bonnet with a Metra movement, dated 1775. Another is reproduced in P. Kjellberg's Encyclopedie de la pendule francaise (p. 270), with the profile of Louis XVI. Another variant exists with cannons arming the ship (cf. Vergoldete Bronzen, H. Ottomeyer et alii.). We also sold a clock of this type with a white marble base and a profile of a Roman emperor: https://www.gslr-antiques.com/fr/boutique/pendules/pendule-lxv-allegorie-commerce-maritime.php Very beautiful piece, spectacular and rare. The mercury gilding (of great depth) and the quality of the chiseling are excellent. Our clock is probably a work of the famous bronzier Robert Osmond (The character of the sailor is also used on an inkwell, around 1755-1760). Very good condition, original wire movement, revised by our watchmaker and working perfectly. Complete with its key. Fresh and well-preserved mercury gilding (slight wear localized on the edge of the waves). Height: 48cm Length: 38cm Depth: 19.7cm