Large 18th Century French Louis XV Period Cartel Wall Clock Signed A. Gosselin

A very fine and large French Louis XV period corne verte (green horn) and ormolu mounted cartel or wall clock, circa 1750. The impressive cartel rests on its original socle — wall mounted base. Signed on the original white enamel dial with hand painted Roman numerals, within a hand blown glass door with ormolu trim and decorated with ornate bronze.

Impressively chiseled or ciselé work throughout.

Original gilding throughout, exquisite patina.

About the green horn. The green ground is not stained or dyed horn, as is often written. Cattle horn was softened in hot water, split lengthwise and pressed flat between heated plates until it became translucent, then tinted from behind with pigment in glue before being laid down. Because horn is naturally yellowish, a blue pigment applied behind it reads as green. The technique is a cousin of Boulle work in tortoiseshell — the same logic of translucent keratin over a coloured ground, cut and mounted in ormolu — and it carries none of the wildlife-trade restrictions that apply to tortoiseshell or ivory. This is ordinary domestic cattle horn, a livestock by-product.

About the signature. The dial is signed A. Gosselin. The Gosselin name appears in 18th century Paris in both the clockmaking and the cabinetmaking trades, which were separate guilds with separate masterships. On a French cartel of this period the dial and movement carry the horloger, while the case is the work of a different craftsman and is signed separately and elsewhere — a name on a Paris clock of this date identifies one trade’s contribution, not sole authorship. We have not established which Gosselin this signature belongs to, and prefer to say so plainly rather than guess.

Clock is in very good antique condition and functions, but may need to be serviced again after shipping just as all clocks do. The ormolu Chinoiserie figure might have been added at a later date; the wood finish below the figure can be gilded, price quoted upon request. Original glass panes, although one glass side panel may have to be or has been replaced.

Dimensions: Height 44 in × Width 20 in × Depth 10 in