Large ormolu mounted Boulle bracket clock by Brezagez and Marchand

This superb bracket clock was crafted in France around 1740, during the reign of Louis XV. Despite this, the clock demonstrates many of the decorative and stylistic features of the reign of Louis XV’s predecessor: under Louis XIV, Boulle work—defined by inlays of brass and tortoiseshell, amongst other materials—proved especially popular, and the present clock is a fine example of this type.

The clock features a waisted case of typical form, the top portion featuring a large dial comprised of individual enamel cartouches contained within a tooled ormolu surround. The top of the case is surmounted by an ormolu finial comprised of embracing lovers—a motif common within the Louis XV style—while the top edge of the curved case is set with an ormolu cornucopia. The case is raised on scrolled ormolu rocaille-like feet, and the case is set to the centre, below the dial, with an elaborate ormolu mount portraying a cherub playing with a puppy. The conforming bracket below is similarly decorated, with ormolu mounts depicting masks of the winds.

The clock case and bracket are profusely adorned with engraved brass inlaid into tortoiseshell in the manner of Boulle.

An enamel cartouche below the dial is signed ‘Brezagez / a Paris’, as is the movement, Brezagez being the maker of the clockworks. The case and bracket are signed ‘Marchand’ for their maker.

Clock: Height 87cm, width 47cm, depth 21cm
Bracket: Height 40cm, width 53cm, depth 24cm
Total: Height 127cm