Louis XV-period gilt-bronze cartel clock, signed Saint-Germain

Our chased and gilt-bronze cartel clock features both a pull-repeat mechanism and an alarm mechanism.

The openwork floral decoration is adorned with flowers, buds and scrolling foliage winding around the dial, as well as musical instruments decorating the lower part of the cartel.
The enamel dial is signed J.P.B. dau Hebert à Paris. The hour and minute hands are in gilt bronze and form openwork arabesques.

Louis XV period – Later Brocot escapement.

Condition consistent with age and use.

H. 36 x W. 26 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.

The Brocot escapement (or roller escapement) is a clock-regulating mechanism invented in 1826 by the French clockmaker Louis-Gabriel Brocot and patented in 1840.