A VERY RARE FRENCH LOUIS XVI CARVED PAINTED AND GILT AUTOMATON TIMEPIECE WITH ASCENDING MONGOLFIERE

Description:

circa 1780
H. 86 cm
Painted and partial gilt case, consisting of a wall console, base and display top with mirrored back and canopy-like top. Movement front with finely engraved depictions of a Mongolfière with white enamel dial, Roman numerals, Arabic minutes and decorated hands. Elaborately constructed verge escapement with short pendulum on the side. The spring is tensioned via a cord with reversible pulley and the clock rises from the bottom to the top. Rest, additions, no guarantee of functionality.
The Sapper Collection, Stuttgart
With Antike Uhren Günter Rust, 1993.
The Mongolfière was the titel illustration on the Weltkunst volume 63, no. 15, 1 August 1993.