Louis XVI skeleton clock. France, c. 1780

Louis XVI skeleton clock. France, c. 1780
Mercury gilt bronze and white marble. Hand-painted porcelain dials, enameled.
With suspension of the pendulum in silk thread.
Presents picket on the crown.
Preserves beacon.
Measurements: 44 x 24,5 x 12 cm; 55 x 45 x 18 cm (bezel).

Skeleton clock commemorating the first balloon trip, made in gilded bronze and enamel. The clock marks the hours, months, weeks and lunar phases. It is an ornamental piece of great complexity and detail, made in gilded bronze and decorative enamels that highlight its refined style. It is mounted on a rectangular white marble base with small bronze legs, which give it stability. The base has a gilded relief in the form of a frieze showing a set of little lovebirds in the classical manner.

The structure of the clock is marked by a vertical and ornamental disposition. At the top is a small dial decorated in blue and gold tones showing the moon phases. Just below it is the main dial, with painted Arabic numerals and metal hands marking the hours and minutes. The dial has a white enameled background with intricate details and features meticulous workmanship in its decorations.

On either side of the central structure, two female figures sculpted in gilt bronze hold baskets on their heads, in the manner of caryatids. Below the main sphere, there is a second smaller sphere that functions as a calendar, with the months of the year arranged around it.
The sides of the structure are adorned with deep blue enamels and gold details, with small scenes painted on the lower panels. These scenes, depicting landscapes or mythological motifs, add an additional artistic and decorative element. Finally, the piece features a pendulum, also decorated with enamel, where a globe is visible.
Overall, this clock is a clear example of late 18th or early 19th century artistic clockmaking, with a focus on detailed ornamentation and the use of classical symbols, both in its structural design and ornamentation.