Description

An exceptional and very rare late 18th century mantle clock the  dial signed:  Joseph Gay Horologer du Roy a Turin.

The enamel dial with pierced gilt brass hands.  The movement also signed and numbered  5110, of eight day duration w ith silk suspension and repet striking bell.

The unusual case of bronze with ormolu mounts with a gilt figure of the sleeping cupid resting on a sarcophagus his attributes laying on the white marble base  with doves crowned by floral wreathes to the sides.  An ivy entwined column beyond bears an oval framed proverb:  ” Qui que to soit recconnois un raitre.  Il est le fu ou il doit L’etre. With a twin flaming lamp above.

Joseph Gay was French in origin practising in Turin as Horolger to the King of Turin and Sardinia.

Circa: 1780    Height:  40cm   Width: 28cm