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a gold clock on the wall with a bird on it
ALEXANDRE LANDRE - SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS

50 - A chiselled bronze wall sconce, gilded using the Chinese tec…
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Estimate €4,000 - €6,000
Sale commission
Description
A chiselled bronze wall sconce, gilded using the Chinese technique with Martin’s varnish. It is decorated at the base with a figure of an Asian man seated beneath an arbour. The asymmetrical body of the clock features a rich decoration of rocaille motifs, latticework and scrolls, embellished with flowering stems and foliage. The movement and the white-enamelled dial are signed ‘COUPSON FILS A PARIS’. It displays the hours in Roman numerals and the minutes in increments of five in Arabic numerals. Paris. Louis XV style. The movement dates from the late 18th century. H_87 cm (Slight cracks and minor imperfections in the enamel. The key and pendulum are missing). COUPSON FILS A PARIS - Achille Louis Coupson: Master clockmaker in Paris, based on Rue de la Croix-des-Petits-Champs, active during the 1740s–1750s. - Jean Achille Coupson: His son, also a clockmaker in Paris. The clock with Asian figures A perfect illustration of the works of art found in haberdashers’ shops in the 18th century, the clock’s dial is crowned by a figure of a Chinese man in lacquered bronze – or ‘Martin varnish’ – inspired by Chinese lacquerware. We know of several examples featuring one or more figures. A clock in the same style is held at the Louvre Museum (inv. OA 10539). We should also mention another similar clock, offered for sale at the auction of the collection of Jean-Louis Gaignat, former secretary to the king, and of objects belonging to Simon-Philippe Poirier, the famous haberdasher, on 14 February 1768 in Paris: ‘188. A very fine and large clock, striking the hour and half-hour, with a movement made by Pierre le Roy. It is adorned with several copper figures, representing macaques varnished by Martin to imitate lacquer: they are richly dressed and adorned with various gilded details, set upon a terrace, part of which is rock-like and part of which is gilded and decorated with foliage and Vincennes flowers’. Expert: Stéphane PEPE - Expert: PEPE Stephane
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About the sale Collection of the Château de Villebourgeon & others
Auction location
Auction time 10/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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