UNUSUAL MANTEL CLOCK, so-called "PENDULE À L'ELEPHANT",
The movement and parts of the case, Louis XV, Paris, 18th and late 19th/20th century, the movement and dial signed J.B. Baillon à Paris, with movement number 1561, the enamel dial by the Parisian enameler, Antoine Nicolas Martinière, signed and dated May 1741. Elephant, base and remaining parts of the case, associated in the 19th and 20th century.
Chiseled bronze, gilt and patinated. The base with lacquer panels on 4 sides. Movement, striking the hour and 1/2-hour on bell. White enamel dial. The back signed by the Parisian enameler Antoine Nicoals Martinière (1706-1784), and dated May 1741.
29 x 14 x 53 cm.

Provenance:
- Collection Wolfson.
- Partridge Fine Arts Ltd. London, 1984.
- Swiss private collection.

The pendulum clock on offer features a signed and numbered movement by the famous watchmaker, Jean-Baptiste Baillon. The movement was probably made at the same time as the original dial, which is signed on the back by the Parisian enameler, Antoine Nicolas Martinière (1706-1784), and dated May 1741. The early classicist base with the four lacquer panels is of exceptional quality, but - just like the very naturalistically modelled elephant - it is not originally part of the design. Both may have been created in the late 19th century. The clock, as it presents itself now, was probably associated in the 20th century from the existing original parts and the later parts.