Lot Essay
The design for this clock can be closely related to that of François Vion, maître in 1764, (see drawing in H. Ottomeyer and P. Pröschel, et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, p. 180, pl. 3.7.8), illustrating a pen and ink design from François Vion's workshop of 1770 (housed in the Bibliothèque Doucet, Paris). An almost identical clock, possibly the present lot, but with different miniature to the base is illustrated op. cit., p. 180, pl. 3.7.7 (sold Sotheby's, London, 31 December 1974, lot 66).