Large Louis XV Boulle Five-colored Cartel Clock By Joffroy In Besançon

Fiddle-shaped, this large cartel features exceptional “Boulle” marquetry combining brown tortoiseshell and brass, as well as rich floral marquetry in horn dyed in a polychrome palette known as “five-color”: red, blue, green horn, mother-of-pearl, and brown tortoiseshell.

The front is adorned with a floral scrollwork design with supple lines, where the brown tortoiseshell stems harmoniously intertwine, ending in colorful flowers. The largest flowers are inlaid with red and blue tortoiseshell, while touches of white mother-of-pearl subtly enhance certain areas, adding depth and contrast to the overall effect. A large red horn bow forms a bouquet at the base of the lamp base.

This highly harmonious floral decoration is framed by a spectacular, finely chiseled gilt bronze trim:

The base is accented by an acanthus ingot, its edges marked by large gilt bronze foliage, and its base adorned with an openwork composition of shells, volutes, and foliage, in perfect harmony with the Rococo style.

The clock itself is surrounded by an abundant, lively bronze decoration, forming foliate volutes, scrolls, shells, and dynamic fleurons running along the case. Small flowers blooming on either side, on the base and in the center, are surrounded by large scrolls of foliage.

The pediment of the clock is crowned with a cushioning with an openwork foliate motif. The case elegantly rests on four richly carved feet, naturally aligning with the curves of the console.

Each side is curved with a glass pane, revealing the pendulum and the interior Boulle marquetry of the door in brown tortoise shell and brass.

The white enameled dial with Roman and Arabic numerals bears the signature of

"Joffroy à Besançon," a clockmaker active in the second half of the 18th century, representative of the Comtoise school, for which the city of Besançon was one of the major French watchmaking centers.

The movement on the back is also signed by Joffroy Besançon.

This cartel clock stands out for its rich, finely crafted bronze ornamentation, the quality of the beautiful original gilding, and its 120 cm height.

Louis XV period work

Restored due to use and maintenance

Signed on the dial and movement "Joffroy à Besançon"

Total dimensions: H 119.5 cm x L 43 cm x D 23 cm

Cartel dimensions: H 79.5 cm x W 38 cm x D 20 cm

Dimensions of the base of the lamp: H 40 cm x L 43 cm x D 23 cm