Large cartel in Boulle marquetry and gilded bronzes signed Fardouelle, 160 cm
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33000 € (port +150€)
Cartels, Louis XV, XVIII

Violin cartel and its console in Boulle marquetry, abundant brass inlays. The important bronzes of the cartel are gilded.

A rare scale: a total height of 160 cm with the console.

The gilded bronzes are particularly worked on this piece: floral motifs above the dial, chimeras at the cushioning of the 4 console feet, 4 busts of young women on both sides of the dial.

The finely chiseled dial is composed of enameled cartouches with Roman and Arabic numerals. It is signed "Fardouelle in Paris". The mechanism also from the 18th century (the escapement was changed later) is also signed.

At the top of the cartel sits Uranie, muse presiding over astronomy and astrology.

On the facade an unusual representation: Cephalus and Procris, a couple from Greek mythology.

The console is decorated with very important gilded bronzes but also with an abundance of brass, 4 faces are placed at the corners. It also shows inlays of painted horn, white and silver mother-of-pearl.

Cartel and its mechanism entirely from the beginning of the 18th century. The original mechanism has been serviced by our watchmaker and works perfectly.

"Cephalus, Thessalian prince, son of Deion and Diomede, married Procris, one of the daughters of Erechtheus, king of Athens. She was of remarkable beauty. He inspired a keen passion in Eos (the Dawn); -he, to detach him from Procris, urged him to test the fidelity of his wife. For this purpose, he introduced himself near her, hidden under a disguise: having succeeded in seducing her, he chased her from his presence. Procris, ashamed, fled to Crete where Artemis gave him a dog and a magic javelin. Later Procris returned home in the guise of a seductive young girl who offered love. of Cephalus in exchange for gifts from the goddess Cephalus accepted and Procris was then recognized.

The two spouses therefore reconciled. Jealousy, however, gripped the heart of Procris who thought that her husband was joining Eos on his hunting trips. One night, she followed him in secret. She accidentally moved a branch. Thinking that game was hiding behind the foliage, Cephalus threw his javelin and pierced the body of his dear Procris; in despair at this death, he killed himself with the same javelin."

Total height: 160 cm
Cartel height: 105 cm
Width: 50cm