This remarkable and prestigious violin-shaped regulator clock testifies to the elegance and virtuosity of 18th-century clockmakers and cabinetmakers.
Crafted in amaranth and satinwood veneer, its front features a windowed door with exquisitely fine marquetry decoration, including a diamond-point motif bordered by fillets and friezes, illustrating exceptionally refined craftsmanship.
The dial is made of gilt bronze and delicately chased with acanthus leaves. It is composed of three concentric circles. The hours are indicated in Roman numerals by a gilt bronze hand, while the minutes and seconds are indicated in Arabic numerals by a gilt bronze and iron hand, respectively.
The dial is signed by N. Baradelle in Paris (Nicolas-Jacques Baradelle, 1701-1770, a renowned clockmaker and maker of scientific instruments of that era).
A sumptuous setting of chased and gilded bronze, typical of the Rococo style, enhances the piece. A crowning Diana is depicted at the top, overlooking the dial, which is surrounded by a Bérain-style frieze and surmounted by a mask crowned with acanthus leaves.
At its base, a large shell, richly framed with acanthus leaves, stands out.
The case is adorned at its upper corners with two Native American masks and a smiling cherub in the center. This cherub surmounts a Bérain-style frieze framing the diamond-point frieze and above the central aperture. This aperture reveals a pendulum, an important component of the mechanism, adorned with a mask of smiling Bacchus, a symbol of celebration and rejoicing. It is surrounded by acanthus leaves and a central Indian mask and presented by two cherubs in high relief on either side.
The base features the same diamond-point frieze pattern surrounded by a Bérain-style frieze. Its lower corners are adorned with grotesque masks, and the arched base features a shell and acanthus leaves at its center. This substantial and prestigious gilt-bronze mount testifies to a rich and symbolic aesthetic.
This exceptional clock embodies the refinement of 18th-century France and illustrates the talent of the artisans of the period, combining technical sophistication with decorative splendor.
The richness of the materials, the fineness of the chasing, and the perfection of the cabinetmaking make it a masterpiece worthy of the finest collections.
Parisian work from the Regency period, signed N. BARADELLE in Paris. Restored for normal use and maintenance.