A rare and unusual French Empire clock, known as the 'Chequers players'.The fire gilded mercury ormolu is of the very highest quality, and in superb original condition.
The two players are sitting facing each other, the back of the chairs decorated with very high quality ormolu mounts featuring angels.
The games table is covered with a cloth which drapes around the clock.
This bronze captures the moment when one of the players grabs a stone in order to make an important move.
The defensive gestures of his opponent confirm she is aware of the danger of the move.
Signed on the dial Le Roy h. de Madame a Paris, who Baillie has as succeeding his father as head of the firm of S Roy et Fils in 1804. The fact the dial is signed 'de Madame' is for Napoleons mother, who Le Roy is proud to associate himself with, and dates the clock towards the end of the empire period, but before Napoleons defeat.
Applied mounts adorn the base, with the ormolu being entirely orginal and in excellent coniditon.
Paris, France, circa 1815. The silk suspension regulated movement, unusually features very large spring barrels which allow the movement upto a month duration when fully wound, striking the hours and halfs on a bell.
See Elke Niehuser "French bronze clocks" pp 178 and also the Spanish Royal Collection pp163
"Encyclopedie De La Pendule Francaise" Pierre Kjellberg pp 398 Height 44cm, Length 43cm and depth 13.5cm
Stock Number: 5459
Origin: France
Price: SOLD
Availability: SOLD
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