Restoration of a "religious" clock from the third quarter of the 17th century, which chimes on the hours and half-hours. Moreover, the dial and the movement are signed "Sarrabat in Paris".
Religious clocks were the first clocks of the Sun King's reign. Indeed, their development began around 1660, thanks to the regulating pendulum developed by Huygens.
This clock features Boulle marquetry of red tortoiseshell, brass, and pewter, set on a walnut frame. It is further adorned with gilt bronze mounts and ebony moldings. The lower molding, for example, is ebony, resting on toupie feet. Moreover, its form is inspired by the architecture of the period. Two pilasters with gilt bronze Corinthian capitals frame the front. Above, a balustrade supports finials. In the center, Chronos holds the dial. Finally, the hands are made of cut, engraved, and gilt copper, and the wire-driven mechanism is original.
Charles Sarrabat
Charles Sarrabat was probably born around 1615. He was the son of Jean Sarrabat, a Protestant watchmaker from Tours, and Marthe Rivière (d. 1646). In 1632, he began his apprenticeship with Jacques Journault in Poitiers. Then, before 1649, he became "privileged watchmaker-merchant to the king, following the Court." He then established himself on the rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain. In January 1647, he married Suzanne Thuret, daughter of Isaac Thuret, a merchant in Senlis, and sister of the renowned watchmaker of the same name, at the Protestant church in Charenton. Meanwhile, his sister Catherine (1610-1668) married the celebrated engraver Abraham Bosse (1604-1676), whom Jean Sarrabat had trained.
The couple had eight children. Among them, Daniel (1666-1748) and Isaac became painters and engravers. Their daughter Catherine married the watchmaker Corneille Godeffroy. Originally a Protestant, Charles Sarrabat converted to Catholicism in 1686. He died in 1692. He was also the grandfather of Nicolas Sarrabat (de la Baisse), a mathematician and astronomer. Today, the Louvre and the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels hold his watches. Little is known of his other works, however. They are reminiscent of the work of Isaac II Thuret.
The Restoration
A classic restoration for this type of object. First, we replaced the missing veneer. Then, all the marquetry was re-glued under vacuum, with the adhesives being regenerated. Next, fish glue was used to consolidate the frame and moldings. In addition, the door mechanism was repaired and a key fitted. Finally, after steam cleaning the bronze mounts, we applied a wax polish.
As for the central cartouche of the capital, we recreated it in brass, without engraving it. Indeed, we did not want to "interpret" a design whose original appearance we did not know. In this way, the piece retains a clear and legible appearance.
To see previous restorations : https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/
