"love And Dog" Clock, 18th Century, Movement Signed Sébastien Mestral

Rare clock featuring Cupid’s chariot and a dog

18th century – Movement signed Sébastien Mestral

A rare and charming 18th-century mantel clock, crafted from finely chased and gilded bronze, depicting a young winged Cupid leading a dog harnessed to a chariot that forms the clock’s case.

This highly original composition reflects the refined 18th-century taste for mythological subjects and allegorical representations.
Cupid, depicted in a dynamic pose, holds the dog’s reins, while the chariot—richly adorned with chiseled motifs—features a circular white-enameled dial with Roman numerals and finely crafted hands.

The clock rests on a rectangular gilded bronze base, embellished with an elegant decorative frieze in relief and ornate feet. The finesse of the modeling, the attention to detail, and the brilliance of the gilding lend this clock a particularly captivating decorative presence.

Its appeal is further enhanced by its movement, signed by Sébastien Mestral.
The mechanism is in working order, a notable feature for an antique timepiece of this nature.

The clock is displayed under its glass dome, with its blackened wooden base, forming an elegant ensemble ready to be showcased in a collection of antique timepieces or in a refined interior.

A charming collector’s piece that combines the quality of French engraving, an original iconographic subject, and the appeal of a signed movement.

Period: 18th century
Movement signature: Sébastien Mestral
Materials: gilded bronze, enameled dial, glass dome, and blackened wooden base
Dimensions of the clock alone: height 23 cm, length 15 cm
Height with glass dome: 34 cm
In working condition.

A collector’s clock that is rare for its subject matter, ideal for a lover of antique timepieces and 18th-century decorative bronzes.

Sébastien Mestral was a renowned Swiss master clockmaker of the late 18th century, active primarily in Geneva (where he was certified as a master clockmaker in 1775) and later in partnership in Paris.

Upon carefully examining the cursive engraving on the gilded plate of your clock’s movement, one can make out his distinctive signature: “Sébastien Mestral.”

Here is what is known about this craftsman and the significance of his signature:

• Production: He distinguished himself in the creation of high-precision watch movements for luxury pocket watches and cartels or clocks from the Louis XVI and Directoire periods.

• Characteristics of the movement: The cock-decorated movement seen in the center of the image displays a high level of goldsmithing and fine chasing, typical of the exceptional pieces signed by Mestral for the wealthy clientele of the era.