A FINE AND RARE LOUIS XVI PERIOD GILT BRONZE, WHITE MARBLE AND JASPER-WARE MOUNTED TING TANG QUARTER STRIKING PORTICO CLOCK BY ROBERT ET FILS, PARIS, CIRCA 1770-80, WITH VERGE ESCAPEMENT the gilt drum case surmounted by a swagged, twin handled urn, and raised on a pair of shaped pedestal supports surmounted by fruiting finials and set with gilt framed plaquettes of Jasper-ware classical reliefs, with a further gilt bronze mount of vines flanking a roundel depicting Plenty with a cornucopia below the dial, raised on a shaped rectangular plinth base over toupie feet, the white enamelled dial with Roman numerals and Arabic quarter hour markers, signed 'J. Robert et Fils & Compe', with gilt pierced fleur de lys hands, the twin train movement with verge escapement and silk suspension, with outside countwheel and rack strike on two bells, with pendulum, 63cm high The movement is winding, ticking and striking and keeping good time when recently tested, but not guaranteed. The signature 'Robert et Fils', found on this beautiful clock allows us to date it to before 1781, when Louis Courvoisier joined the prestigious firm and it was renamed 'Robert et Fils Cie' and later 'Robert et Fils Courvoisier'. The company began in the mid 18th century and was founded by Josue Robert, who was appointed Clockmaker to the King of Prussia. He was joined by two of his sons and one grandson, hence the name 'Robert et Fils'. An exceptional grande sonnerie clock dating from the 1780's with a musical movement signed by J. Robert et fils et Cie was sold at Bonhams, London, 12 December 2012, lot 20, £31,000.