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196 - A magot clock in lacquered wood with a black background, dec…
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Estimate €8,000 - €12,000
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Description
A magot clock in lacquered wood with a black background, decorated in gold with flowers and the Holy Family in a sinister landscape slightly in relief. This clock is topped with a Chinese character sticking out his tongue and carrying a fan that is activated by a system. This upper part reveals a blackened wood compass gilded with sun, moon and stars, and a polychrome wood compass rose. The back of this part is lacquered with the initials IHS. The dial is in white enamel, with black painted hour markers, Arabic numerals for the minutes and days, a railway track, Roman numerals for the hours and a square winding mechanism at 6 o'clock. It is signed Guerin in Senonche. The openwork, chased and gilt bronze hands. Louis XV period. Movement as is, with key and balance. Two labels inside annotated Du Cabinet de Monsieur Bertin Ministre du Roi Spa 1791. and Du Cabinet de Monsieur Bertin Ministre Secrétaire d'Etat Commandeur des Ordres du Roi. H. 62 cm ; W. 27 cm ; D. 18 cm. (Misses and restorations) History: Henri Léonard Jean Bertin was born in Périgueux in 1720. In 1741, he became a lawyer in Bordeaux. He was then appointed President of the Grand Council and Intendant of Roussillon from 1751 to 1753. From 1754 to 1757, he was intendant in Lyon. Between 1757 and 1759, he was made Lieutenant General of Police. From 1759, he was Controller General of Finances under Louis XV. He resigned in 1763. He then headed a secretariat called "Monsieur Bertin's secretariat", which managed the Compagnie des Indes, cotton factories, painted canvas and mines. In 1764, he was only responsible for mines. Despite this withdrawal, he developed a literary correspondence with China, and in particular with Father Amiot between 1764 and 1788 concerning the mission of the Society of Jesus in Peking. The exchanges between the priest and Monsieur Bertin retrace the accounts, the diplomatic gifts exchanged, the life of the Chinese and their habits and customs. Their relationship brings to light the shipping of numerous works of art and objets d'art from Peking. Henri Léonard Bertin collected many of these Far Eastern gifts in a cabinet of curiosities, and played a part in the development of a taste for China under Louis XV. This clock reflects Henri Bertin's taste for China, and bears witness to the link established between Bertin and the Companie de Jésus.
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About the sale Furniture and objets d'art
Auction location
Auction time 06/12/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures modified on 05/27/2026 at 4:37 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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