A Louis XVI 1770/80's clock by André Hessén, 1782-87 watchmaker to the French king's brother, Monsieur (Louis XVIII).
Gilt bronze. Height 97, width 43 cm.
Partly gilding worn, minor chips to enamel around keyhole, the minute hand with damage.
Literature
Ronnerstam & Jeppsson, Den franske hovurmakaren, Om dalkarlen André Hesséns karriär i det händelserika 1700-talets Paris, Kristianstad 2008.
Ottomeyer/Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, München 1986, p. 185, nr 3.8.10.
More information
Andre Hesse (1745-1805), who was born Anders Bengtsson in Sweden, settled in Paris in 1767 where he became recognized as a skilled watchmaker. During the years 1782-87 he was watchmaker to the French king's brother, Monsieur (Louis XVIII). As personal watchmaker to Monsieur he received the title "Horloger Breveté de Monsieur". Hessén maintained all clocks in Monsieur private apartments, and he attended the prince's courtship in the morning to adjust the pocket watch that the prince would use during the day.