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Bisquit Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Figural Clock of Perseus Freeing Andromeda

$14,000
£10,751.40
€12,320.97
CA$19,708.54
A$22,077.92
CHF 11,504.61
MX$269,305.09
NOK 146,197.21
SEK 137,853.55
DKK 91,960.34

About the Item

A fine and rare Bisquit porcelain and gilt bronze Louis XV figural clock f depicting a famous scene in Greek Mythology of Perseus freeing Andromeda. The clock case is made of Bisquit (unglazed) porcelain. The figural group is presented on a rocky outcrop with waves lapping at their feet. She is shown lying over the clock dial with one leg and one arm chained to a rock behind her. Perseus leans agains the other side of the dial reaching to untie Andromeda from the rock behind her. Medusa's severed head is shown at his feet. The base is decorated with a gilt bronze frieze across the front showing cupids playing with stars and sun rays. The rounded sides of the clock are also decorated with gilded panels. The case sits on six toupie feet. The 6.5" white enamel dial is signed Ageron at the top and Paris at the bottom. The dial has Roman numerals with enamelled stars between the numerals; the hands are pierced and gilded. There is also a subsidiary steel hand pointing to the days of the month. The silk string suspension system has been replaced with a steel suspension system. The clock rings the hours and halfs on a bell. The movement for this magnificent clock was made by François Ageron (d. after 1783), who was one of the leading 18th century Parisian clockmakers. Ageron’s establishment was famous and known for his horological genius he created both clocks and watches, many of which had complicated movements. He was born at Arbigny and was received as a Parisian maître-horloger in 1741, at which date he was established at Place du Pont Saint-Michel. By 1747 he had moved to Quai des Augustins, five years later he was at rue Saint-Louis au Palais and then in 1763 at place Dauphine. Like other great clockmakers of the period he used cases by the finest bronziers notably Philippe and Jacques Caffiéri, Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain, Robert and Jean-Baptiste Osmond, Jacques Dumont and Etienne Portelette as well as the ébéniste Balthazar Lieutaud. Among such collaborations is the Pendule aux Quatre Vents of circa 1765, which has a movement by Ageron and case by Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain, (Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung, Munich). Though the exact date of his death is unrecorded it is known that Ageron’s stock was sold on 31st May 1784. Among important collectors to own his work can be cited the marquise de Montesquiou, the duc de Deux-Ponts and duc de Rohan, Mademoiselle Laguerre, the marquis de Dupleix, the Governor of the French Indes as well as M. Bonnemet. Today many of his great works can be found in public collections throughout the world, including the Musée du Louvre and Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the Residenzmuseum Munich, Museo Grassi in Madrid. Other examples of his work are housed at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire Brussels and at Château Josselin.
  • Creator:
    Francois Ageron (Clockmaker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
  • Style:
    Louis XV (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1770
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Two fingers on Andromeda's left hand are possibly restored.
  • Seller Location:
    Vancouver, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4631216900951

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