Jan 29, 2026 10:00 EST
Old Master Paintings / Silver / English & Continental Furniture
306
Large and Rare Louis XV Ormolu Cartel Clock
By Hardel a Paris, circa 1755
Of asymmetrical design, modelled with scrolling acanthus, foliate sprays, and playful figures above the circular enamel dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic quarter-hour markers, signed Hardel à Paris, with pierced gilt hands; the movement with anchor escapement and silk suspension, striking the hours and half-hours on a bell. The clock movement at the back inscribed: Hardel a Paris.
With Pendulum and key
Height 48 1/2 inches (123.2 cm), width 23 1/2 inches (59.7 cm).
Provenance: Maurice Segoura, Paris, November 20, 2000.
Sold for $23,040
Estimated at $8,000 - $12,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
By Hardel a Paris, circa 1755
Of asymmetrical design, modelled with scrolling acanthus, foliate sprays, and playful figures above the circular enamel dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic quarter-hour markers, signed Hardel à Paris, with pierced gilt hands; the movement with anchor escapement and silk suspension, striking the hours and half-hours on a bell. The clock movement at the back inscribed: Hardel a Paris.
With Pendulum and key
Height 48 1/2 inches (123.2 cm), width 23 1/2 inches (59.7 cm).
Provenance: Maurice Segoura, Paris, November 20, 2000.
Notes:Louis-Michel Hardel (also called Harel) received as Maître Horloger in 1753 was established Cloître St-Denis de la Chartre at Paris, he was part of the circle of prominent Parisian clockmakers supplying high-end movements to the bronzeworking ateliers that defined the Rococo style. Cartel clocks of this sculptural richness often originated from workshops associated with Jacques Caffieri, Philippe Caffieri, or Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain whose dynamic compositions remain icons of Louis XV decorative arts.
This present example is notable for its lively figural group, well-preserved original gilding, and the sophisticated scrolls and foliate ornament. Clocks of this type were intended for grand reception rooms and represent the height of mid-18th-century Parisian luxury.
English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts
Auction: Old Master Paintings / Silver / English & Continental Furniture, Jan 29, 2026
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Miniature Work by Giacomo Guardi Leads Sale of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on January 28, 2026
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle’s auction of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on January 28, 2026 delivered some exceptional results amid international bidding. The sale presented works spanning the 16th through 19th centuries, including portraits, still lifes and landscapes, along with religious, historical and mythological subjects.
The star of the Old Master paintings was a very fine miniature architectural view by the Venetian artist Giacomo Guardi (1764–1835), after a much larger work by his illustrious father, Francesco Guardi. Showing an intriguing view of a small city square from the shadows of a Renaissance arcade, this delightful gem measuring 5 1/8 x 3 15/16 inches sold for $14,080, a surprising price for a miniature work.
Also featured was Anthropomorphic Landscape attributed to Matthäus Merianthat, which realized $8,960. Anthropomorphic landscapes--imaginary views of natural scenery that appear to resemble the faces of people--were much in vogue in European art during the 16th and early 17th centuries. When this painting was first discovered by Alfred Barr in 1930 it was thought to be by the Italian Mannerist artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593). However when the work was cleaned and restored in 1954, an inscription attributing it to the Swiss engraver Matthäus Merian (1593-1650) came to light. It was soon shown that its composition is closely related to an engraving of a similar anthropomorphic landscape created by Merian in 1624, which suggests that it may have been the artist’s preliminary sketch for that work.
Old Master prints were highlighted by four hand-colored engravings by Basilius Besler (1561–1629) from Hortus Eystettensis (The Garden of Eichstätt), which sold for $10,240. Published in 1613, Hortus Eystettensis is a landmark botanical masterpiece, featuring hundreds of finely detailed engravings that document the extensive gardens of Prince-Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen in Bavaria.
Additional Categories in the Sale
Special sections of the sale also showcased English & Continental Silver (Read More) on Wednesday, January 28 and English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts (Read More) on Thursday, January 29.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
