Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire

About the Item

Figural mantel clock signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal” The bronze figural mantel clock depicting one of the mythical heroes - Orpheus originates from the Empire period. The clock is made in a characteristic Empire style, a major phase of Neoclassical art that flourished in France during the time of the First Empire in the 19th century. Bronze was the main material used in Empire style timepieces and both the patina and ormolu techniques were vastly used for ornamentation during this period. The use of gilt-bronze has reached its peak at the beginning of the 19th century in France, as it was cheaper than gold or silver. For this reason, it became the favourite material for clock cases, ornamental elements, candelabra and furniture ornaments. Owing to the skill of remarkable bronze casters and chasers these objects were not merely timekeepers but became objets d'art. Many of the characters and scenes inspired by Greco-Roman antiquity presented on the Louis XVI style clocks made appearances on the clocks produced in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. However, the style was completely changed and the clocks were more amiable. This beautiful ormolu bronze mantel clock is surmounted by a bronze sculpture of Orpheus, and according to some Greek myths, was the son of Apollo and the muse Calliope, who also was endowed with extraordinary musical skills. The figure of Orpheus on the clock is modelled with a gold lyre in his hands that is known to be a gift from the god Apollo. Moreover, the lyre became Orpheus symbol because of his adventures and the contributions it had in them. He was the first one to perfect the skill of playing the lyre, as a result, his music could charm animals, trees, beasts, divert the course of rivers or even convince gods to change their will. The most popular myth featuring Orpheus was about his journey to the Underworld to retrieve his deceased wife, which he loved tremendously. Unfortunately, the story ended tragically and he never retrieved his wife back. His motivation and power of love became his main traits. Many elements featured on this mantel clock represents Orpheus and his extraordinary skills at playing instruments. The lyre which Orpheus is holding stands on the gilded bronze clock case next to a floral wreath with a burning torch inside it. On the opposite side of the clock case, is a gilded bronze bouzouki with a matching foliage motif to the lyre. Besides the figure of Orpheus, the second main feature of this clock are the reliefs that adorn the clock case as well as the rectangular plinth. The case of the clock is build of a large ormolu bronze pedestal. The enamel dial is encircled by Roman numerals for hours and minutes. To indicate the time the clock uses blue Breguet-style hands, which have a circle with a filled crescent shape on the side. This unique shape is sometimes referred to by the French word for apple, pomme. The dial is also signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal” at the bottom. Surrounding the dial are beautiful rose reliefs, and beneath them is relief with a burning torch accompanied by foliage garland and wreath. The pedestal clock case is framed at the bottom with a rais-de-cœur motif, that also features at the bottom of the base trim. The plinth is also decorated with reliefs, however, they are separated into three medallions. The two medallions which are situated on the left and right side depicts a rose wreath encircling two crossed arrows with an undulating ribbon tied to them. The medallion in middle shows a dragonfly, goose, laurel leaf branches with berries and ancient Greek musical instruments, all representing Orpheus ability to charm with his music. The ormolu clock stands on the chiselled and gilded bronze ball feet. Literature An identical model of this clock can be found in the Pierre Kjellberg, "La Pendule Française du Moyen Age au XXe Siècle", 1997, p. 405, pl. D with minor differences, which is the lack of a burning torch in a floral wreath.

Dimensions:

Height: 21.26 in (54 cm)Width: 13.39 in (34 cm)Depth: 5.12 in (13 cm)

Style:

Empire (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Bronze,Gilt

Place of Origin:

France

Period:

Early 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1820-1830