Louis XV-era table clock with a bull motif

Louis XV-style table clock with a bull motif, mid-18th century
Movement signed Pierre Carottet in Cluses
An elegant and rare table clock in chiseled bronze, patinated and gilded with mercury, depicting a lifelike bull rendered with power and realism, resting on a richly openwork rocaille base. The animal, depicted in a dynamic pose with one paw raised, is distinguished by its supple and lifelike modeling, characteristic of the naturalistic taste of the reign of Louis XV. The circular white enamel dial, featuring Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes, is highly legible. It is set within a gilded bronze frame decorated with foliage and asymmetrical scrollwork, typical of the rocaille style. The finely crafted base features a lively decoration of foliage, shells, and small flowers, executed with true artistic freedom and exquisite chiseling. The piece as a whole fully embodies the aesthetics of the mid-18th century, combining ornamental fantasy with an observation of nature. Movement The movement is a gilded brass cock-type mechanism, characteristic of Louis XV-period clockmaking. It features an openwork and engraved cock, as well as a circular regulator with finely hand-engraved hour markers. The plate is adorned with engraved motifs, reflecting meticulous craftsmanship.
The movement is signed on the plate: “Pierre Carottet à Cluses”
This hand-engraved signature refers to a clockmaker active in Cluses, a major center of clockmaking in Savoy dating back to the 18th century. It attests to high-quality regional craftsmanship and lends this clock particular significance, both historically and as a documentary artifact.
In very fine condition.
The engraving is crisp and vivid, particularly in the rendering of the foliage and the rocaille base
Original mercury gilding, displaying a beautiful matte finish with natural wear on the raised details
The bull’s antique patina, a nuanced brown-black, creates a harmonious decorative contrast with the gilding

Ref: 3RS6XZ17UX