Large Boulle marquetry cartel on sheath: Minerve protectrice des arts, by Thuret

Very large 245 cm high girdle-mounted cartel in rich brown tortoiseshell and brass marquetry.

The cartel is lavishly decorated with gilded and chased bronzes and topped with Minerva. Seated on her armor and shield adorned with Medusa's head, she holds a feather and a globe in her hand. This symbol of power is also represented on the statue of Rome's patron goddess in the Palazzo Senatorio, Piazza del Campidoglio.

Four finely chiseled bobbins are featured at the top, with a helmeted Lupercus face in the center, surmounted by a winged Sphinx.

The domed glass door reveals a midnight-blue Roman numeral dial. At the base and in front of the cartel is a laughing faun. The sides of the clock feature stylized female faces and the lower part features Minerva's attributes of war: sword, quiver and trumpet.

On the back of the door is a Bérain-style décor of lambrequins, scrolls, sphinxes and peacocks, executed in Boulle marquetry in counterpart, i.e. with a copper rather than tortoiseshell base. On the other side of the door, the same decoration is also present, this time in part, i.e. with a scale background. Inside, the pendulum with the face of the Sun King as a child.

The sheath features abundant marquetry on all three sides. This remarkable and abundant decoration of foliage, bouquets, flowers and fantastical animals is also in the style of Bérain. The top and base of the mantle are encircled with chased gilt bronze baguettes. A Telamon and a caryatid frame a faun's face.

This impressive piece, with a total height of 245 cm, is signed by Thuret in Paris, a family of watchmakers descended from Isaac Thuret, Louis XIV's watchmaker. The mechanism is in working order, striking the hours and half-hours.

Napoleon III period.

Total height: 245 cm
Width : 61 cm
Depth : 36.5 cm

Ref: SKJU36PQ8I