T. Hommet à Paris

T. Hommet à Paris, the case in the manner of André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), the figures after François Girardon, circa 1700. Very fine and magnificent Louis XIV large red boulle and gilt bronze-mounted pedestal clock with quarter striking and Torricelli barometer. Straight-sided, veneered with red stained tortoiseshell and inlaid with finely cut brass scrolls, leaves, flowerheads and birds, concave-sided cresting surmounted by the figure of Chronos seated on a ball above a brokenarch cornice with flambeau finials, the corners applied with shell corbels, outswept lower body supported on rear-inghorses at the sides, raised on an integral plinth incorporating a Torricelli mercury barometer with semi-circulardial at the front, flanked by grotesque warrior masks and raised on spiral feet, the back inlaid with achinoiserie dragon ship. Twelve-piece enamel and gilt bronze, chased with scrolling foliage, white enamelcartouches painted with dark blue radial Roman numerals. Blued steel “Louis XIV” hands. Notes Provenance: The Time Museum, Rockford, Illinois. (inventory No. D1019). Literature: “French Clocks the World Over”, part one, Tardy, Paris, 1981, p 242. “The Time Museum, an Introduction”, Seth G. Atwood & William Andrewes, 1983, p.12. Andre-Charles Boulle (1642-1732) Perhaps the greatest cabinetmaker of all time. Boulle was born in Paris, the son of a Dutch cabinetmaker. He followed in his father’s footsteps, and became so accomplished that he soon came to the attention