Cartouche-shaped cartel clock case with a narrowed center on four volute support legs with curved apron. Front door framed with gilt bronze Louis XV ornament opens to a large enamel dial. The top of the cartel clock being crowned by a pagoda-like removable top with crowning gilded bronze mount in the shape of a bird sitting in a rocaille-like arbor. Front and sides with the finest, partly engraved brass marquetry depicting floral garlands on a reddish tortoise shell background. Glazed sides that reveal the view to the clock movement. Excellent and rich gilt foliate gilt bronze Régence-/Louis XV decoration. Matching tapering wall console with curvy outline, front and sides with corresponding boulle marquetry, corners with vivid Louis XV foliate and gilt bronze ornamentation. Large round enamel dial with black Roman and smaller Arabic numerals, openworked brass clock hands. Spindle movement with signature on movement plate “Gribelin A Paris” with back pendulum on silk suspension. Half hour and hour strike on bell. The clock has been sympathetically cleaned and the movement fully revised to a high standard and in perfect working condition.
Nicholas Gribelin was born in Blois on November 27, 1637, and by the end of the 17th century had gained a reputation as one of the most important clockmakers of his time. In 1674 Gribelin was appointed horloger de Monsieur le Dauphin, the son of Louis XIV, and in 1676 he received his master’s title. Around 1682, he is documented as having possessed a workshop in the rue de Bussy. The cases of his clocks where often manufactured by Andre Charles Boulle (1642-1732), who decisively developed the decoration technique named after him.
When the Dauphin’s clock collection was inventoried in 1689, four clocks by Gribelin were also listed. Gribelin died in Paris in 1719.
Works by Gribelin can be found in important international museums and collections, such as Versailles, The British Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Dimensions
clock: height 71 cm/ 27.95 in. x width 33 cm/12.99 in. x depth 17 cm/6.69 in.
console: height 27 cm/10.63 in. x width 42 cm/16.54 in. x depth 21,5 cm/8.46 in.
Condition: very good, min. wear consistent with age and use, refinishing of surface, movement professionally revised and in perfect working condition – detailed condition report on request
