| SEVRES FRENCH PORCELAIN ANTIQUE CHERUB MAIDEN CLOCK S. Marti French Cherub Maiden Antique Mantel Clock Sevres Porcelain Signed Early 1860’s Antique French Cherub Maiden Clock with Sevres style porcelain panels. Movement stamped “S. Marti et Cie Medaille de Bronze” in a circle. Samuel Marti was awarded the Bronze Medal in 1860. The movement is incised with serial number 2457 a low number indicating to me that it dates to early 1860’s. Samuel Marti et Cie were well known clock makers in Paris in the mid eighteenth century. In 1860 it's known that their premises were situated at Le Pays de Montbeliard and in 1863 Marti worked with two other well known clock maker's Roux, and Japy Freres in promoting their clock movements. The clock has Sevres style hand painted porcelain panels that are 100% free of chips, cracks or repairs. The dial is in remarkable condition for a clock going on 150 years. Most dials are chipped by the winding arbors and have lots of loss to the gold paint, paintings and numbers as well as hairline cracks. The back of porcelain dial is signed several times in French followed by the painted number 2457. The porcelain panels are done in Sevres celestie blue background with hand painted cherubs on sides and a maiden in the center panel. Each panel is a miniature painting masterpiece. The case is gilded spelter. The back of the case is incised 6 P H MOUREY 72. P. H. Mourey designed the case, while Samuel Marti an important clock maker made the movement. This was the coming together of the “artist” and the “perfectionist clockmaker” at the height of their French professions. The guilt finish has darkened in places due to its passage through time. The Cherub Maiden is a brighter gold and may possibly have been refinished. The clock movement is an 8 day time and strike that chimes on a bell every half and full hour. The clock has been serviced by a professional clock-smith and keeps perfect time. It will need to be leveled and adjusted after shipping. The old French pendulum is a replacement. Additional photos upon request. |
