A very fine small Louis XV gilt bronze quarter repeating cartel by Jacques Caffieri and Julien LeRoy

reverse of dial

Antoine-Nicholas Martinière (1706-1784) was the most able dial maker in 18th century Paris. In 1740, he accepted a Royal commission to make a one-piece clock dial 14 inches in diameter, a task not thought possible at the time. He succeeded, and when presented to Louis xv, he was named Emailleur et Peintre Ordinaire du Roi for his efforts. Trained in drawing at the Académie de Saint-Luc, he also produced decorative painted enamels including watch cases. A remarkable multi piece enamel almanac and perpetual calendar within four gilt bronze frames, dated 1741 / 1742, and signed by Martinière is in the Wallace Collection