19th Century French mantel clock

Dimensions: H x W x D: 37 x 22 x 10 cm

Description:
The bronze, cast in relief and then fire-gilded, stands on a black marble base supported by bell feet.
It depicts a couple facing each other at a fruit tree. He is picking the ripe fruit at the top of the tree while she waits for him below. A little dog wagging its tail completes the endearing scene.

The open French pendulum movement is mounted in the centre of the treetop. It strikes on the half and full hour and the pendulum is suspended from a thread, typical of timepieces.
The dial is framed by a bezel decorated with foliage. Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic quarter hours appear on white enamel. The minute track is painted with the finest brushstrokes, as is the signature: Lesme á Limoges.
A watchmaker by the name of Lesmas is listed in Tardy's Dictionnaire des Horlogers Francais on p. 411. His workshop is documented in the Rue Fournier in Limoges from 1835 to 1845. It can be assumed that the movement was made in this workshop.

Condition: Clean and in perfect working order. The movement has been dismantled and thoroughly cleaned.

Price: 2800,- €