Boulle Cartel Clock Louis XIV Périod Signed By Thuret In Paris

Exceptional cartel in Boulle marquetry with its original movement signed Thuret. (Clockmaster recognized by King Louis XIV for his exceptional timepieces achievements)

This cartel displays all the characteristics of the Louis XIV style, starting with its shape. This one is rounded on the top, straight for the uprights connected by a volute to end with a slight curve at the level of the feet.
The chiseled gilded bronze dial indicates the minutes as well as enameled hour markers in dark blue. 4 adjustment positions appear at number XII.
 
Original blues steel hands.The escapement has been modified from its original escapment with  a heavy balancier and is very accurate in time keeping. By pulling a cord it rings on demand the quarts on three bells.

The whole cartel is covered with Boulle marquetry in brown tortoiseshell and brass inlays of great finesse and good quality engravings.  For the rear door which gives access to the movement, a remarkable marquetry pattern with figures of grotesques à la Berain and repeated in part on the interior and in counterpart (tortoiseshell on a brass background) on the exterior.
This double marquetry was a characteristic on the most  luxurious timepieces as exposed by aristocrates in the middle of the apparat rooms or visible through the effect of mirrors. The rich bronze trim of this cartel is composed of an oil lamp (very specific to the work of AC BOULLE), mascaron, bronze signed THURET, rams' hoof feet, foliage, palmettes.

Book references:
- Encyclopedia of the French clock - Pierre Kjellberg - page 42 - Louis XIV clock movement by Thuret, Municipal Library of Versailles
  - Dictionary of French watchmakers-Tardy- Thuret Isaac- Watchmaker of King Louis XIV - ca 1684.