GALLERIA SINIGAGLIA Decorative Objects

Dial signed Polti Frères Measures: With base or glass: Height 61 cm (24 in.), width 51,5 cm (20.3 in.), depth 23.5 cm (9,2 in.) Without base: Height 52 cm (20,5 in.), width 42 cm (16.5 in.), depth 12.5 cm (4.9 in.) Important philhellenic clock in burnished and amati gilded bronze, finely chiseled, representing on the terrace a couple elegantly dressed in "the turkish style", and richly decorated with foliage, scrolls and flowers. The feet, decorated with water leaves, rest on an oval wooden base covered with a globe. The theme of the clock comes from The Giaour, a fragment of a Turkish Tale, an English poem by Lord Byron published in may 1813 which tells the thwarted love of a Venetian, the Giaour – term by which the Turks designate infidels and especially Christians – and of Leila, a slave belonging to Hassan’s seraglio, military leader of a Turkish province. The betrayal of Leila discovered, she will be thrown into the sea and her lover will avenge her by killing Hassan, then taking refuge in a monastery. Symbol of prestige and modernity, the decorative clocks are a reflection of the taste of the era of a wealthy bourgeoisie and may be the subject of diplomatic gifts or between individuals. Beyond the purely decorative aspect of such objects, watchmaking in the 19th century is part of a subtle mix of political, historical and literary references. This philhellenic movement converning the West finds a particular echo in France, one of the countries with the United Kingdom and Russia having suported the Greeks during their war of independance (1821-1830) to free oneself from the grip of the Ottoman Empire. Many clocks...

An impressive late 19th century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Having three putti mounted to the top each playing musical instruments. The clock having an ei...

A large and superb cartel wall clock in the style of Louis XVI by Samuel Marti. It as formed as a round bronze body housing the movement suspended from an ormolu ribbon swag with a b...

A superb quality 19th century French bronze gilt mantel clock, retaining its original glass dome, and adorned with a finely detailed rustic female figure in period dress, reclining o...

A stunning original antique French gilt bronze clock by Samuel Marti. Beautifully made in he Rococo style, formed of sinuous curves of acanthus and scrolls, pieced to allow the pendu...

Large, very imposing portico clock, from the Charles chiselled with acanthus leaves, geometric shapes, gadroons and water leaves as well as on the flat surfaces of the garlands and r...

Gilded bronze table clock with cloisonne and porcelain decoration.

This antique mantel clock features blue hands and a fully gilded rim. The heavily ornamented base on which the clock sits is also gilded. A beautiful girl in a dress with puffed slee...

Decorative clock in the shape of a church. It represents a picturesque miniature church, richly detailed to evoke traditional European architecture....

Our lovely champleve enameled bronze and glass mantel clock with movement by Japy Freres of Paris for Theodore B. Starr of New York City dates from the 1900s to 1910s and is distingu...

French brass gilded mantel clock with four turned pilasters surmounted by a stepped dome top with central finial and standing on a raised moulded ...

The contrast between rich blue enamel, in light and dark hues, and bright gilt bronze gives this carriage clock a sumptuous, luxurious feel. With a t...