Restoration of a large cartel clock (137cm high) and its console-style bracket, dating from the Regency period. It is made of solid oak veneered with Boulle marquetry of brown tortoiseshell and brass. It is decorated with floral garlands, crosshatching, and foliage. The dial is made of chased and gilded bronze with a decoration of interlacing patterns and birds; the Roman numerals are enameled, and the signature St Martin à Paris is inset. The clock plate is signed with the same name. It is adorned with chased and gilded bronze mounts depicting Hebe and Jupiter's Eagle on its capital. These mounts also feature chimera heads, shells, foliate scrolls, busts of men and women, cupids, a ribboned putto, and faces with feathered headdresses.
Hebe and Jupiter's Eagle
Hebe is an allegory for eternal youth; she is also called "Juventas" by the Romans.
She is the goddess of eternal youth who serves nectar at the table of the gods, before being replaced by Ganymede. The eagle represents Zeus (father of Hebe).
I propose an interpretation of the symbolism of the bronze fittings on this cartel. This is done from bottom to top.
Antoine Saint-Martin, son of Paul-Jean, was established in Paris on rue des Fossés Saint-Germain in 1715. Place Dauphine from 1741 to 1748. Besides being a sworn officer in 1734, he is the father of a dynasty of watchmakers who practiced until 1870.
State of affairs report
As is typical with Boulle marquetry, a large portion of the brass had detached, and there were gaps that needed to be filled. The base of the lamp was cracked in three different places, as were the back door and the capital. In short, all the glues had dried out, and nothing held together anymore, not even the joints of the case.
The Restoration
The restoration work therefore consisted of reattaching all the elements of the cartel clock, both structural and plated. For this, all the gluing was done under vacuum. The missing brass and tortoiseshell pieces were replaced and glued, like the rest, using fish glue.
Roubo filler was applied to fill the saw kerf joints before a thin coat of clear French polish was applied. The bronzes were simply cleaned with hot steam.
To see previous restorations : https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/
