A FRENCH DIRECTOIRE PATINATED BRONZE, ORMOLU AND CARRARA MARBLE MANTEL CLOCKGASTON JOLLY, PARIS, CIRCA 1800The circular eight-day countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum with silk suspension, the circular convex white enamel Roman numeral dial signed Gaston Jolly A Paris to centre and with blued steel moon hands within engine-milled gilt bezel, the case modelled as urn with floral surmount to the tall domed superstructure decorated with an entwined serpent over ovoid body housing the movement with gilt pendant finial to underside, raised on four tapered pierced lappet-leaf moulded supports incorporating female term upper terminals to the sides and out-swept hoof feet, mounted on a stepped oval Carrara marble plinth base with gilt engine-milled disc feet.59cm (23ins) high, 25cm (10ins) wide, 23cm (9ins) deep.Provenance: The Kingshott Collection.Francois-Piere Gaston-Jolly is recorded in Tardy DICTIONNAIRE des HORLOGERS FRANCAIS as becoming a Master in 1794 and working from Pave St. Sauveur, Paris 1810-20. He was a fine maker whose movements are often seen in cases by Pierre-Philippe Thomire suggesting that there was some form of association between the two workshops.