Lepeaute Horloger Du Roi - Greek Style Clock Under Study & Au Temps - Louis XV Period - Ca 1770

Rare and important pendulum "under study and in time" representing the Muse Clothon dressed in the antique style, covered with a peplos, wearing a diadem and wearing sandals. Sitting on the terrace and leaning against the dial, the young woman holds a parchment symbolizing study and in the other hand a distaff, allegory of fate. The ebony-veneered plinth is adorned with an interlacing frieze and rosettes with acanthus leaves. The round enamelled dial is signed by Lepaute Horloger du Roi. End of the Louis XV period around 1760-70, in the so-called Greek era. The structure of the clock and its character remains Louis XV when the decoration of the base is in the Greek style, announcing the Louis XVI style. Our charming subject pendulum is as very often an allegory: it represents Clotho, the Goddess of Destiny. She is one of the 3 Moires in Greek mythology (the Fates in Roman mythology), three divinities of Destiny: Clotho ("the Spinner"), Lachésis ("the Distributor") and Atropos ("the Implacable"). Clotho weaves the thread of life; Lachésis unrolls it; Atropos cuts him off. Clothon is often represented wearing a long robe of various colors, wearing a crown formed of seven stars, and holding a distaff which descends from heaven to earth. The dominant color in its draperies is blue. It is named in the French form Cloton in the classical period. Jean André Lepeaute (1720-1789) is one of the greatest French hologers of the 18th century, at the origin of a dynasty of master watchmakers supplying kings and emperors. Arrived very young in Paris, in 1740, Jean-André quickly made a name for himself thanks to the realization of several monumental public clocks: Luxembourg palace, Bellevue castle, Ternes castle or the Military school in particular. We owe him a large number of major inventions and innovations, including the ankle escapement. A master watchmaker in 1755, he composed a treatise on watchmaking which was to be a reference for a long time. He also received the title of king's watchmaker and was appointed a member of the time system commission. Very beautiful piece, spectacular and rare, the work of one of the greatest masters of his time. The mercury gilding (of great depth) and the quality of the carving are excellent. Our pendulum is probably a work of the famous bronzier Robert Osmond. The elongated format lends itself to different uses, fireplace, chest of drawers or at the top of a cardboard box or chest of drawers. Very good condition, original wire movement, revised by our watchmaker and working perfectly. The cleaning revealed a date of 1776 engraved on the spring (date of first revision if it is not the date of manufacture. Complete with its key. Fresh mercury gilding and well preserved. Length 43cm depth 19cm Height 35cm