Mantelpiece clock with striking at half past the... Lot 297

Mantelpiece clock with striking at half past the hour and with a revolutionary calendar signed (dial), 'Bourret à Paris', circa 1795. White enamel dial (accidents) Arabic numerals, the 30-day calendar separated from the hours by a gold lobed frieze with polychrome flower decoration. Gilt brass openworked hands (missing the minute hand), blued steel calendar hand; round movement, anchor escapement, silk thread suspension (missing the balance wheel) count wheel on the outside; white marble cabinet depicting characters from the story of Paul and Virginia on either side of a palm tree. The whole is mounted on an oval base with two returns in white marble and veined red marble decorated with a gilded brass plate, showing several cupids with military instruments, music, astronomy. The plate flanked by beams of rods applied to the red marble. W. 58.5cm; H. 47.5cm; D. 16cm.