Léon Messagé Clocks
Léon Messagé had a brilliant, but short-lived career. He is best known for his incredible sculptural collaboration with François Linke for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A gifted sculptor, Messagé was also responsible for much of the design and creative work for Roux et Brunet and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. Messagé enjoyed great success as a designer/sculptor before he collaborated with Linke. Indeed, he was mentioned as a Gold Medal winner at the 1889 International Exhibition and was especially praised for his work on a cabinet by Zwiener. He came into contact with Linke in 1885, and it appears from then on Linke employed him regularly. Messagé was primarily influenced by Rococo ornament, but he strove to re-interpret it. He did not produce slavish copies, and his original approach can be appreciated in Linke's celebrated Grande Bibliothèque and Grand Bureau exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Several drawings by Messagé are recorded, and after his success at the exhibition of 1889, he was encouraged to publish his designs. Cahier de dessins & croquis, style Louis XV: bronzes, orfèvrerie, décoration, meubles was first published by the sculptor himself, from his Paris address of 40 rue Sedaine. There were five sections with an elaborate title page surmounted by the sculptor's cipher or talisman of a wing, a pun on his name as the messenger to the Gods, a motif he used many times on the handles of furniture designed for Linke. As a sculptor, Messagé was trained to produce a wax maquette or model before working on a piece. For Messagé, it was not just a matter of producing decorative mounts the piece was conceived as sculpture, bronze, timber and marquetry as one.
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Creator: Léon Messagé
Fine French Gilt-Bronze and Rouge Griotte De Campan Table Clock by Léon Messagé
Located in New York, NY
Maker: Léon Messagé (1842-1901)
Origin: Paris, France
Date: Early 20th century
Size: 11 3/4 in x 9 in x 6 1/4 in.
Signature: signed Messagé to the right side of the lion pelt...
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19th Century French Antique Léon Messagé Clocks
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Bronze
Francois Linke Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock Garniture
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional garniture in the Louis XV/XVI style with gilt bronze mounts attributed to Léon Messagé (1842-1901) and Francois Linke (1855-1946), including mantel clock and pair of cand...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XV Léon Messagé Clocks
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Marble, Bronze
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Literature
Payne, C., François Linke 1855-1946: The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, 2003, models illustrated pp. 160, 182, 247 and the black and white cliché on p. 487.
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Léon Messagé clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Léon Messagé clocks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Léon Messagé clocks, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original clocks by Léon Messagé were created in the louis xv style in france during the early 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider clocks by Samuel Marti, Jacob Petit, and Lerolle Freres. Prices for Léon Messagé clocks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $9,500 and can go as high as $20,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $14,750.