43,700 CHF
Gribelin à Paris, circa 1685. An exceptionally rare and fine silver pair-cased extra large quarter-repeating Louis XIV "oignon" watch. Outer: Double body leather covered "oignon" protecting case. Inner: double body bassine, the band pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage ( one small damage). White enamel with blue Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Blued-steel poker-and- beetle hands. Hinged gilt brass full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel threearm balance, flat balance spring, extra large gilt brass Louis XIV cock pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage,the regulator brackets of sculpted and polished steel. Repeating on a bell by depressing the pendant, the repeating train with a gilt brass fixed barrel engraved with foliage decoration. Signed on the back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 85 mm. Notes This watch is certainly the work of Nicolas Gribelin, son of Abraham, and grandson of Simon. Born in Blois in 1637, he was received as master at faubourg Saint-Germain-des-Pres circa 1660, and in Paris on 5 June 1675. He was Garde Visiteur from 1676-1678 and 1684-1686, and Clockmaker to Monsieur le Dauphin before 1674. Established in the rue de Bussy in 1682. With Baltazar Martinot II, he organised a grand lottery of clocks etc at Court in 1695, and also worked with l'Abbé Hauteville with a view to producing 8-day watches. He died in 1719. Nicolas Gribelin is recognised as one of the finest clock and w
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
