Directoire-style Skeleton Clock In Gilded Bronze With Eagles, Signed "le Roy" In Paris – 18th Century

A beautiful and rare skeleton clock in chiseled and gilded bronze, signed “Le Roy à Paris,” from the Directoire period, late 18th century.

The circular white enamel dial displays the hours in Roman numerals and a peripheral minute track in Arabic numerals. It is signed “Le Roy à Paris” at the bottom and features slender gilded brass hands.

The dial is surrounded by a large openwork gilded bronze crown, finely carved with foliage motifs, and surmounted by an eagle with outstretched wings set against a backdrop of branches.

The upper section rests on a circular base whose rim features the same openwork decoration. It is adorned with four small turned balusters and rests on four tall gilded bronze columns, alternating between smooth, guilloché, and chiseled surfaces.

The balance wheel, which is particularly decorative, is adorned at its center with a second eagle with outstretched wings, rendered in relief within a circular openwork medallion.

The round base is accented with finely chiseled friezes featuring geometric and foliage motifs and rests on four small feet.

Mechanical movement with two gear trains, featuring a bell chime.

This clock is characteristic of Parisian productions from the Directoire period, during which the light, openwork forms inherited from the 18th century began to incorporate neoclassical elements and imperial motifs, notably that of the eagle.

The movement functions very well.

Some chips, cracks, and small areas where the dial enamel is missing, visible in the photographs. Wear and minor changes to the gilding are consistent with the clock’s age.

Shipping: 30 euros within France, 80 euros within the EU, and 150 euros to the rest of the world.