Antique 18th Century Boulle Bracket Clock by Brezagez and Marchand

Antique 18th Century Boulle Bracket Clock by Brezagez and Marchand
French, c. 1740
Clock: Height 87cm, width 47cm, depth 21cm
Bracket: Height 40cm, width 53cm, depth 24cm
Total: Height 127cm

This beautiful 18th Century French bracket clock was crafted during the reign of Louis XV and is a fine example of Boulle work.

The waisted clock case is surmounted by an ormolu finial of embracing lovers above an ormolu garland of foliage. This surrounds the top of the circular clock dial, which is also framed by an engraved minute band. The dial features individual white enamel pieces with painted blue Roman numerals for the hour indices. Below the VI mark is another enamel plaque with the makers signature 'Brezagez / a Paris'.

Below, there is a central ormolu mount depicting a playful cherub holding a key and playing with a lively dog, and scrolled rocaille feet at the bottom of the clock. The matching bracket is decorated conformingly, with ormolu mounts to the corners featuring cherub head masks and a latticework finial.

Both the clock case and bracket are decorated in the manner of Boulle, with engraved brass inlaid into tortoiseshell, a popular style under Louis XV's predecessor Louis XIV.

In addition to the clockmaker signature on the dial, the movement is signed 'Brezagez / a Paris' as well, and the case and bracket are signed 'Marchand' for the specific maker.

Artist/maker: Pierre Brezagez (French, fl. 1727-1748), and Nicolas Jean Marchand (French, active from 1738)