Directoire astronomical skeleton table regulator

A very important Directoire astronomical skeleton table regulator, signed on the light blue enamelled arch Romain à Paris, with beautiful blue and gold enamel case painted by Dubuisson, signed by Dubuisson below the main charter ring, with bronzes attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843). The main dial depicting days of the month, hours, minutes and seconds, with beautifully pierced fire gilt brass hands to indicate the minutes and hours, and contrasting blued steel hands to indicate the seconds. The top dial depicting phases of the moon and lunar calendar, a subsidiary dial below the main dial to indicate the months of the year. The pendulum depicting the head of Medusa surrounded by the gun, with two enamel plaques with paintings of cherubs on either side. On each side of the clock two superbly cast gilt bronze figures depicting music, and a fire gilt bronze plaque on the base, depicting nymphs playing musical instruments. Having a fu1l skeletonised movement, with spring barrel movement, knife edged suspension for the pendulum with a high quality pin wheel escapement, striking on the hour and half hour on a single bell with outside count wheel for the strike.

Paris, date circa 1795
Height 46 cm.

This important skeleton regulator hag a full skeletonised movement, which is an extremely rare feature. The movement was the work of Romain à Paris, a reputed firm based at Rue des Fosses St-Germain l'Auxerrois. They specialised in clocks housed in spectacular cases. The exquisite enamel case, dials and plaques were the work of Gobin Etienne, known as Dubuisson, who with Coteau was the finest of his trade. Maiter living in Luneville and Strasbourg, Dubuisson worked at Chantilly.

In 1756 he was employed at Sevres as a flower painter, specialising in enamelling watch cases and clock dials.
The fine blue and gold case is complemented by fine gilt bronze decorations. They are attributed to the greatest bronzier, Pierre- Philippe Thomire and typify bronze decorations of the late Louis XVI period. At the summit is a classical vase shaped um, filled with flowers -symbols of hope. On either side of the main dial are floral swags with pineapple finials -symbols of welcome and hospitality. The two beautiful and superbly cast gilded bronze maidens sound their cymbals, while other figures on the plaque below echo the same musical theme. The pendulum is formed as a Medusa head surrounded by a gun burst; this type appeared toward the end of Louis XVI's reign and continued during the Empire period. According to legend, Minerva lent her shield to Perseus so that he could only see the reflection of the Gorgon as he tried to kill her. The head left its impression on the shield and on clocks, especially of this period.