A large and impressive Louis XVI gilt-bronze cartel clock, having a convex enamel dial inscribed 'Louis Montjoye, Aaria', supporting a French drum movement striking on a bell, the case crest with a sunburst over a cherub seated in a carriage drawn by two doves, scrolling foliage and a seated nude and cherub, 120cm high dial 21.5cm diameter Louis Montjoye (1728-c.1815) As an horological expert, Montjoye's name is often associated with some of the finest Louis XVI clocks. The son of Jacques and Marie-Madeleine née Langlois, he was apprenticed to Michel Mathurin Guery in 1736. In 1748 he was received as a Paris maitre at which date he moved from Quai Pelletier to rue Dauphine; 1758 saw him established at rue de la Vieille Draperie and 1772 at rue Galande. He lived well into old age and died circa 1815 at Jouy-le-Chatel; his sons Louis II (d. before 1783) and Joseph-Bernard (d. after 1817) were both watch-case makers. Much of Montjoye's work was supplied to the marchands-merciers, especially Pierre-Simon La Hoguette and Dominiqu Daguerre, and through them was acquired by such figures as the duc de Richelieu, the duchess de Mazarin, the marquise de Montesquiou, the comte de Vaudreuil and the Maergravine von Baden. Today examples of his work can be found among important collections including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Sahringen Museum Baden-Baden, the Huntington Collection San Marineo, California, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Condition report: Re-gilded. Dial worn, cracks and repair around 6 0' clock. Movement restored. One floral mount to left-hand side broken at lower end.