Cage clock simulating a Planetary wheel, in mahogany... - Lot 319 - Coutau-Bégarie A mahogany and mahogany veneered Planetary clock, rectangular in shape, with a brass fluted column at each corner and bevelled mirrored sides. The painted enamel dial with Roman numerals for the hours alternating with garlands of flowers, surmounted by an enamelled circular plate bearing the inscription Ferdinand Berthoud Paris Fecit 1775, in a scalloped frame on a blue background. The body of the clock is surmounted by an enamelled globe in a gilt bronze mounting. Later mechanism. Louis XVI period. Height 76 cm - Width: 33 cm - Depth: 24 cm (As is) Berthoud was one of the most important Parisian watchmakers of the second half of the 18th century and the first years of the following century. Appointed "horloger-mécanicien du roy et de la marine" in 1764, he devoted himself to marine clocks and designed the watches and clocks used on royal vessels. The author of many famous works on watchmaking, French sovereigns showed him many marks of their esteem, including Louis XVI, who bought all his tools and clocks for 30,000 livres. Provenance Maître Lelièvre, 25 October 1998.