A LOUIS XV ORMOLU AND MEISSEN PORCELAIN MANTEL CLOCK

Description:

signed Etienne Le Noir, Paris, mid 18th century
H. 56 cm
The glazed enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ETIENNE. LE NOIR A. PARIS, the movement with numbered countwheel strike, conforming signature and numbered 275 in drum-shaped case surmounted by a putto and sprays of Vincennes and Meissen porcelain flowerheads, on a pierced rococo plinth and a naturalistic base with a shepherd to the right, modelled by P. Reinicke and a group of The Hand Kiss modelled by J. J. Kändler to the left, flanked by further sprays of flowers and foliage, the sanded and rusticated base with C-scrolls and foliage, the ormolu struck with the C couronné poinçon. Large Parisian movement with 8 days' running time and half-hour striking on bell, thread suspension of the pendulum. Several restorations to Meissen figures and flowers, the glass door on the back is loose.
Important Rhenish private collection, with Christie's London, 14.6.1990, Lot 32
Etienne Lenoir, né. 1699, became maître in 1717 and died after 1778 was elected garde-visiteur of his Guild in 1759
The C couronné poincon was in use between 5 March 1745 and 4 February 1749
The Meissen figure of a shepherd playing a flute is first mentioned in the Meissen archives in 1747 so this clock must have been made between 1747 and 1749, when the C couronné ceased to be in use.