Directoire Skeleton Clock 1795-1799 With Calendars Attributed To Folin The Elder, Signed Dubuisson

Directoire Skeleton Clock 1795-1799 with Calendars attributed to Folin L'ainé, signed Dubuisson in ParisExceptional and rare clock with skeleton movement in the shape of an arch, from the Directoire period, with a white enameled annular dial, revealing in its center part of the finely cut workings of the mechanism, indicating the hours in Roman numerals, the minutes in increments of fifteen and the dates of the republican month, graduated from 1 to 30 in Arabic numerals, by three superb hands, two of which are pierced in beautifully worked gilt copper and one in blued steel. The whole is driven by a magnificent mercury-gilt balance bearing the effigy of the central motif on the enameled plate. Clock attributed to Nicolas-Alexandre Folin, known as Folin L'aîné (1750-1815), considered one of the greatest clockmakers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was awarded the title of Master in 1789 and set up his own workshop in the rue Salle-au-Comte, where he quickly achieved great renown, specializing in particular in skeleton clocks and date movements. Very active after the fall of Louis XVI and under the First Empire, he collaborated with the best craftsmen of his time to make the dials of his clocks and cases, such as the enamelers Dubuisson and Merlet, the chasers Martincourt and Vion and the cabinetmaker Schwerdfeger. A rare few could afford such remarkable clocks. The dial, signed Dubuisson, is remarkably decorated with scroll motifs; The dates are surrounded by a magnificent blue border and separated by flowers punctuated with an emerald color. The arch and the central enameled plaque, a deep blue, are remarkably worked with pearly pearl threads and flower scrolls. On the arch in its center is a head of Medusa framed by fine emerald-colored punctuations. On the central plaque is inscribed in gold letters "A Paris". The red griotte marble base rests on four adjustable ball feet, and displays in its center a griotte and flower frieze. A remarkably guilloché geometric frieze adorns the two lateral faces of the base. The clock is richly decorated with a finely chiseled, knurled and mercury-gilded bronze decoration. At the top of the clock sits an eagle with outstretched wings supporting a floral and fruity spray. The four arches, in an inverted console, rest on tall truncated cone-shaped shafts with molded bases. Every hour and quarter of an hour, the clock strikes a magnificent bronze bell with a crystalline sound. The wire movement of the clock has been completely overhauled by a professional clockmaker and is sold in perfect working order. Skeleton clocks are representative of this transitional period, where different noble materials were combined (enamel work, bronze and marble). They were only produced for a very short period; the rarest of them like this one display the 30-day republican calendar. Height 47 cm Key, pendulum and cup included. Dubuisson (1731-1815), whose real name was Etienne Gobin, was one of the most famous enamelers in Paris at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, a colleague and main competitor of Joseph Coteau. Around the mid-1750s he worked at the Sèvres factory, later establishing his own workshop. Specializing in enameled watch cases and dials, he was renowned for his exceptional skill and depiction of details. Price: 8000 euros Artist: Folin L'aîné and Dubuisson (etienne Gobin) Period: 18th century Style: Louis XVI - Directory Condition: Perfect condition Material: Bronze Height: 47 cm