DESCRIPTION:
Crosnier, Paris, France, ceramic mantel clock, 8 day, time only, spring driven movement in a figural white bisque case signed "Mongenet" depicting a woman, two birds, and a putto amid delicate flowers and swirling scrolls, all resting on a molded base with applied cast metal ornaments, arabic numeral white enamel dial, and gilt Louis XV style hands.
CONDITION:
ceramic case is in good condition. Ultraviolet light reveals that many of the flowers have been glued back on whole. The birds and figures are quite undamaged. Enamel dial is excellent. The clock has no rear door, as it was originally under a glass dome. The age of the clock suggests that the movement originally had a silk thread suspension. The current Brocot suspension is a different color of brass compared to the back plate. This theory is further supported by a clearance notch inside the case above the suspension. The Brocot suspension does not require this space, but an earlier silk thread suspension may have. The back of the ceramic base bears the name "Mongenet". One source lists this name as belonging to a skilled ceramic flower maker in Sèveres around 1753. The clock base is also incised with a "Double-L" with an "B" inside which looks very much like a Sèvres mark. Crosnier is a name associated with several horologists who Tardy lists as working in Paris from the 1760s to 1790s.
ESTIMATE:
$500
-
$700
PRICE SOLD:
$325
DIMENSIONS: 12in x 10in x 5in
"
"
"
"