A Louis XVI Period Gilt Bronze Wall Clock Attributed To Osmond, Based On A Design By Foulet

An interesting wall clock in chased and mercury-gilded bronze with a matte and burnished gold effect. The white enamel dial with Arabic and Roman numerals is signed LETHIER BRUNOS in Paris. The openworked, gilded fleur-de-lis hands.

The movement is housed in a gilt bronze case, and the beaded bezel is fitted with a domed glass. The clock is surmounted by a flame-shaped urn and two lateral rings crossed by a cascade of laurel leaves that flow down the sides of the clock, culminating in ascending, undulating acanthus leaves. Glass plates conforming to the curve of the clock cover the four lateral openings. The front is decorated with pine cones, rosettes, and laurel leaves. The opening revealing the balance wheel is highlighted by a row of pearls.

The movement, with a 16-day power reserve, strikes the hours and half-hours. The escapement is an anchor type and the suspension is a wire type. On the back of the clock, two original pins help maintain its verticality.
Dimensions: 64 cm high x 30 cm wide.
Period: Louis XVI, circa 1775/1780.

Condition report: The clock is in good condition, without any restoration. It has retained its original mercury gilding. The bronze mounts were cleaned and the movement was serviced in October 2025. It is in perfect working order. Only the missing balance wheel has been replaced. A detailed invoice will be provided.

Shipping: We will ensure careful packaging; photographs of the packaging will be sent before shipment. Shipping will be handled by UPS. Please contact us for shipping information, specifying the destination city and country.

References:
Drawing: The original drawing of this clock case by Foulet is reproduced as number 37 in a work held in the collections of the INHA library (Collection of drawings. Clock models, years 1755-1780).
The case: We find the signature of the bronze worker Osmond on this clock case model, as with the same model sold at Christie's in New York (October 7-21, 2025) with an estimate between $5,000 and $8,000 (see photo).

Foulet: The Foulet family specialized in cabinetmaking clock cases and bronze clock cases.