Stately clock with Chinese figures in Rocaille style

Exceptional stately clock with Chinese figures in Rocaille style in engraved and gilded bronze and a rich polychrome patina. It symbolises all the attraction for exoticism and fantasy specific to the reign of Louis XV.

Winding openwork decoration in gilded bronze with scrolls and acanthus leaf motifs resting on four scroll feet. The rocky base in bronze with a brown patina presents in its middle a tree stump and two standing Chinese figures in traditional outfit facing one another.

The violin-shaped box in openwork gilded bronze is positioned on top of the tree stump. The central part presents a particular movement with a two-coloured enamel dial indicating the hours and minutes in Arabic numerals in increments of five by two hands. It bears the signature Dutertre à Paris and is sealed by a domed glass cover. The upper part of this box has a Regency shell topped by an eagle with outstretched wings.

The clock is patterned with polychrome patinated branches and leaves ending with blossomed rosebuds.

Signed on the back of the plate: Planchon (manufacturer of the movement), n° 664.
Hallmark on the movement: Gold medal Universal Exhibition of 1900 Paris.
Annotations on the back of the enamelled plate of the dial: Boudet / Chinois de Boucher/ Dutertre à Paris / Rouge et noir

Maison Boudet – the most famous art objects shop from the end of the 19th century – beginning of the 20th century, located at Boulevard des Capucines in Paris.

The Chinese figures are inspired by paintings from François Boucher in Chinese style.

French work at the beginning of the 20th century, around 1900.