A spectacular and extremely high quality French early 18th century Louis XV period Tortoiseshell and ormolu mounted cartel clock. The wall mounted clock is raised on its original bracket displaying an exquisite elegantly curved tapered shape with an exceptionally decorative... — Read More

A spectacular and extremely high quality French early 18th century Louis XV period Tortoiseshell and ormolu mounted cartel clock. The wall mounted clock is raised on its original bracket displaying an exquisite elegantly curved tapered shape with an exceptionally decorative Tortoiseshell background adorned with richly chased scrolled foliate ormolu mounts and charming intricately detailed rooster heads at the corners and a unique bottom finial of an owl. The clock above is raised by four remarkable scrolled ormolu legs with a wonderful dolphin designs and lovely foliate movements leading up the sides centering an exquisite ormolu reserve of two wonderfully executed cherubs sitting drinking with birds at their side. The clock displays a beautifully curvaceous shape retaining all of its original hand blown glass panes with a door at the front which opens by a key to the right triggering the original spring loaded lock. At the center is the impressive ormolu clock face with lovely scrolled foliate designs with beautifully shaped white enameled fitted reserves with cobalt blue Roman numeral hour markings and Arabic numeral minute markings etched at the border. Additional wonderfully executed scrolled foliate designs lead upwards set on a remarkable Tortoiseshell background with lovely brass inlaid lattice designs with a striking beautiful maiden draped in a fine flowing fabric holding a fine foliate branch in her hand guarded by serpents at her feet. All original gilt and rich satin and burnished throughout. — Read Less