Antique Boulle Mantel Clock. France, 19th Century

Striking antique mantel clock decorated with Boulle-style marquetry, in perfect working order and fully restored. The clock comes from France and mounts a Paris movement chiming the hours and the halves. This is a hugely decorative piece: the clocks wooden box is entirely covered by natural tortoise-shell and brass plates, finely cut with curved shapes and waves that create a lovely marquetry work. The decoration includes nice ormolu details such as garlands, ribbons and crowning pieces. The clocks face is made of white porcelain with bright blue Roman numbers and black Arab numbers for the minutes. It is signed Sauvage and A. Chateadroux in the same blue enamel. The hands are made of golden metal and boast a fine filigree design. At the back there is a small door that leads to the clocks movement. The movement bears the serial number 102 engraved in the metal; we can see this number engraved in the pendulum bob too. The clock comes with the original pendulum and winding key. Impressive and quality, this stunning antique mantel clock with Boulle-style decoration will shine in the most stately room. Measurements: Width: 7.8 in / 20 cm. Height: 16.5 in / 42 cm.History of André-Charles Boulle André-Charles Boulle (11 November 1642 28 February 1732) was a French cabinetmaker generally considered to be the most preeminent artist in the field of marquetry. Christened by his contemporaries as "the most skillful artisan in Paris," André-Charles Boulle's name is synonymous with the practice of veneering furniture with marquetry of tortoiseshell, pewter, and brass. Although he did not invent the technique, Boulle was its greatest practitioner and lent his name to its common name: boulle work. Boulle also specialized in floral marquetry in both stained and naturally colored wood. Many of his designs are illustrated in a published around 1720: Nouveaux dessins de meubles et ouvrages de bronze et de marqueterie. Before 1666 Boulle was awarded the title of Master Cabinetmaker; in 1672 the king granted him the royal privilege of lodging in the Palais du Louvre. In the same year, he achieved the title of Cabinetmaker and Sculptor to Louis XIV, king of France. This new title allowed him to produce furniture as well as works in gilt bronze such as chandeliers, wall lights, and mounts. Boulles works can be found in the Palace of Versailles, the Chantilly Castle, the Cheverny Castle, the Louvre Museum, the Wallace Collection and the Royal Collection in London and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.