Louis XVI Mantel Clock, Signed "schmit à Paris"

A rare Louis XVI-period gilt-bronzemantel clock, supported by four scrolled brackets resting on a flutedbase.

The top is crowned by an antique-styleincense burner, topped with a bouquet of flowers, grapes, and vineleaves.

The dial, signed "Schmit àParis," is flanked by mounts featuring lion muzzles holdingdrapery—a decorative motif that is repeated on the base and theantique-style vase.

The finely pierced hands indicate theminutes in Arabic numerals and the hours in Roman numerals.

The movement, fully serviced by ourhorologist, is in perfect working order. It features a silk-threadsuspension and strikes the hours and half-hours.

The clockmaker Jean-Nicolas Schmit wasone of the most prominent Parisian horologists of the late 18thcentury. He was admitted as a master clockmaker in August 1781 andestablished his workshop on Rue Béthisy. The high quality of hismovements led him to become the primary supplier for the Ducd’Angoulême’s manufactory—Dihl et Guérhard—providing themechanisms for most of the clocks produced by the firm.

Dimensions: H. 42 cm x W. 25 cm x D.14.5 cm

Parisian craftsmanship

High-quality bronze gilding

Signed "Schmit à Paris"(Jean-Nicolas Schmit, admitted as master clockmaker in August 1781)

Late 18th century