Bidspirit auction | Mantel clock in ebonized wood

Mantel clock in ebonized wood with gilt bronze applications, signed Charles Baltazar, French School, 18th century - Ebonized wood with gilt bronze appliqués. Dimensions: 55 x 39 x 14 cm. An important French mantel clock dating from around 1760 and signed ”Charles Balthazar / A Paris” on the dial. It features a sinuous case with finely chiseled and gilt bronze moldings and appliqués decorated with Rococo-inspired scrolls, plant leaves, and floral motifs. The enameled dial, with a white background, features Roman and Arabic numerals in cobalt blue enamel, framed by a bronze ring with gilt plant reliefs that reinforce the ornamental character of the piece. The case design reflects 18th-century French taste, which combined the elegance of curved forms with the decorative exuberance of the Rococo style, creating a piece of striking visual impact and refined craftsmanship. The meticulously crafted gilt bronze provides brilliant contrasts against the deep black of the ebony finish, while the overall composition reflects the Parisian tradition of fine watchmaking. The mechanism, overhauled and in working order, confirms both the technical quality and artistic value of the work. This is a mantel clock of great historical and aesthetic significance within French production of the period.