Very important gilt bronze and patinated "à l'Etude et la Ph - Lot 240

Very important gilt bronze and patinated "à l'Etude et la Philosophie" clock, designed by Dominique Daguerre based on figures created by Louis-Simon Boizot in 1780 for the Manufacture de Sèvres; cast and gilded by François Rémond, the dial is signed "Ledure Bronzier à Paris" (1783-1870) and "Hémon Hr" (Claude Hémon, listed from 1770 to at least 1820), supporting an eagle with outstretched wings holding a thunderbolt in its talons; it is flanked by two patinated bronze figures, one female reading, the other male writing, and surmounted by a plaque depicting a couple before the altar of Love; the whole encircled by a frieze of pampers, the sea-green marble base rounded at the ends, presenting on the front between two round-bossed masks of Mercury a frieze of sphinxes holding olive branches in a wreath; on six strong chiseled toupie feet. Early 19th century H. 53 cm - L. 66 cm BL Minor chips around the winding holes, no glass on the dial bezel. Similar models: Museums of Ile-de-France Sceaux Museum Hermitage Museum Bibliography : P. Verlet, Les bronzes dorés français du XVIIIe siècle, Paris 1987, p. 322. P. Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la pendule française du Moyen Age au XXe siècle, 2005, p. 260. H. Ottomeyer and P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Band I, p.295, fig. 4.17.5. Archives Nationales inv. 01 3510.