Large Louis XV Bronze Cartel by Nicolas De Launay

Imposing Louis XV period cartel by Nicolas De Launay, first half of the 18th century.
The box, with rococo motifs of foliage and flowers, in gilded bronze with mercury, is decorated with the amortization of a character from the comedy of art, Pierrot, playing a mandolin.
The characters of the Commedia dell’arte are very popular in the decorations of the 18th century; the character of Pierrot playing the mandolin is already found in Watteau’s painting “La Sérénade Italienne”.
On each side as well as under the pendulum, brass grids gilded with mercury are openworked with foliage and flowers. The hands are finely chiselled and gilded.
It has mercury gilding in very good condition, worked in matte and shiny polish, revealing the carving of the sculpture.
Signed on the dial and on the plate of the movement “Nicolas De Launay in Paris”.

Nicolas De Launay was a master watchmaker active in Paris between Louis XIV and Louis XV. One of his clocks is in the Grobet-Labadié museum in Marseille. For his nuns and his marquetry cartel he often collaborated with André-Charles Boulle.

Measures
Height cm 74
W cm 38

Antique dealers and approved experts from 1997, our gallery is located in Tuscany but we are in Paris every month. We personally take care of deliveries of fragile items in Paris. Do not hesitate to contact us for clarifications or requests for additional photos, we speak French.