Large Louis XV Cartel Clock by Saint-Germain

This cartel clock, richly decorated with chased and gilt bronze mounts, is signed S. Germain for Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain (Paris 1719–1791). It features a decoration of scrolling foliage extending into graceful curves, adorned with leaves and flowers in a typically Rococo style.

The enamel dial is signed PERACHE A PARIS and displays Arabic numerals for the minutes and Roman numerals for the hours. The hands are elegantly pierced and shaped into arabesques.

Condition consistent with age and use.

H. 84 x W. 46.5 cm

Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain was one of the most renowned Parisian bronziers of the mid-18th century. Active from 1742, he was received as a master in July 1748. He is particularly known for creating numerous clock cases and cartel clocks that established his reputation, notably the so-called “Diana the Huntress” cartel clock (see an example preserved in the Musée du Louvre), the clock supported by two Chinese figures (see a model of this type in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Lyon), as well as several clocks with animal themes, chiefly elephants and rhinoceroses (example in the Musée du Louvre).

Alongside his horological creations, Saint-Germain also produced numerous furnishing bronzes, including firedogs, wall lights and candelabra, always demonstrating the same creativity and exceptional skill as a bronzier. He retired from business in 1776.

Jean-Pierre Pérache, or Perrache, ranks among the most important Parisian clockmakers of the second third of the 18th century.

From the beginning of his career, he enjoyed considerable renown and received important private commissions. Several of his clocks are described in 18th-century posthumous inventories belonging to major collectors of the period, notably those in the collections of Bernard de Saint-Germain, Jean-Pierre de Rouillé and André Roussel de Jorant, as well as those mentioned in the collections of Philippe-Jules-François Mazarini-Mancini, Duke of Nevers, great-nephew of Cardinal Mazarin, and the widow of Charles de Savalette de Magnanville, a powerful fermier-général and former director of the Compagnie des Indes.

Finally, it is particularly noteworthy that one of his clocks was in the French royal collections at the time of the Revolution.