Louis XVI mantel clock 'pendule à la montgolfière', Dutertre à Paris circa 1785.

Louis XVI mantel clock 'pendule à la montgolfière', Dutertre à Paris circa 1785.

No 164. Rare and attractive Louis XVI balloon mantel clock, "pendulum à la montgolfière 'Dutertre à Paris circa 1785. The clock case of white marble is oval-shaped and modeled as a balloon. The balloon is kept between two columns and standing on a rectangular base. Under the balloon hangs a gondola with a putty looking outwards with binoculars. The balloon and the two columns are decorated with a graceful vase. All marble parts are decorated with chiselled and gilded bronze ornaments in a classic Louis XVI style. The eight-day movement has half hour and hour striking mechanism on a bell, pendulum with silk suspension. The white enamel dial is signed Dutertre à Paris. Dutertre is a renowned Parisian clockmaker who responded to the popularity of the invention of the Montgolfier brothers. Brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier developed the hot air balloon in Annonay (Ardeche). This was publicly demonstrated on September 19 1783. There was great public interest, even from Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The clock is in a very good condition. HXWXD 47x30x12 cm. Price on request. Dictionaire Tardy Pag. 211-212; P. Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la Pendule française, 206, 207, 208.