Y A fine French Louis XV gilt brass mounted small Boulle bracket timepiece with silent pull quarter-repeat Antoine Thiout, Paris, mid 18th century The eight-day movement with tapered plates incorporating concave lower angles united by four angular baluster pillars pinned through the backplate signed Thiout AParis to lower margin, the silent pull repeat mechanism sounding on a bell mounted within the superstructure of the case, the 5.5 inch circular thirteen-piece cartouche numeral dial with convex white enamel centre within chapter ring with blue-on-white Roman hour numerals within rococo borders and Arabic five minutes to outer track, with sculpted blued steel hands the engraved cut brass and brown shell marquetry decorated case with seated putto surmount to the concave-sided superstructure veneered with leafy scroll decoration and applied with foliate mounts to angles over generous leaf cast arched cornice, the front with brass-framed arched glazed door enclosing marquetry decorated floor and back panel to interior and incorporating cast panel featuring an eagle grappling a serpent to apron, the surround decorated with leafy scrolls within line border, the sides with recessed arched windows within leaf cast surrounds over hipped swollen base sections, on feet cast as dragons with foliate apron between, 49.5cm (19.5ins) high. Antoine Thiout is recorded in Baillie, G. H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as a 'very famous maker' born in 1692, appointed Jure in 1743 and dying in 1767. He is perhaps best known for his 1741 publication Traite d'horlogerie which is generally considered as one of the classic horological works of 18th century. Amongst his patrons were the duc d'Orleans and the Dowager Queen of Spain; examples of his work reside in many important European collections including a bracket clock in the Garde Meuble, Paris. Condition Report: Movement has been converted from verge escapement to anchor and the going train will run. The wheelwork of the repeat train is complete however the rack-pull lever is lacking (snail and starwheel are present). The spring box is intact and the train will run through. One of the two vertical hammer arbors are lacking as are both the hammer arms. The dial has hairline crack across the enamel disc centre and the I, IIII and VI cartouche numerals have small edge chips; the rear is lacking a securing latch otherwise dial is in good original condition albeit a little tarnished/discoloured and with finely worked hands. The case is in fine condition with faults limited to some light blooming to the shell veneers in places and some patchy tarnishing to some of the brass marquetry. Clock has a case key but no pendulum or winder. Condition Report Disclaimer