G. Denière, "Pendule à cage", France, circa 1860

Charming clock in the shape of a Rocaille-inspired cartel in chiseled and gilded bronze. Scalloped marine-inspired decor representing a trophy with oars, dolphins, reeds and flowers ...

Important giltwood clock with a mirror background of Rococo inspiration with a rich sinuous and asymmetrical decoration representing a Chinese couple ab...

Signed on the dial A. Beurdeley Paris Mechanism signed J LEFEBVRE FILS PARIS Rare Louis XVI style clock in mercury-gilded and patinated chiseled bronze and white marble. In the form of an arched pediment, it is decorated with four Cupids, two carrying a garland of flowers highlighting the dial, and two others symbolizing the coronation of Science. The molded base in white marble, with a double recess, is decorated with a ribboned torus, a frieze of ribboned oak leaves and interlacing, and rests on six flattened ball feet. Related work : In 1774, the bronze-caster Robert Osmond (1711-1789) designed a first model known as “architectural drawing” illustrating The Coronation of Science. Also called The Children of France, it is decorated with a putti crowning a young girl drawing with a compass and delivered to Versailles by Lépine, clockmaker to the King since 1762, for the apartment of Madame Royale in the Princes’ Wing, on December 28, 1778. (see photo attached) This clock is described in the inventory of Versailles clocks...

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...

A most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte marble and ormolu mounted clock signed Le Merle Charpentier Bronzier, Paris Rue Charlot. The clock is raised b...

A stunning French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu clock signed by Denière. The clock is raised by elegant topie shaped feet below beautiful block rosettes. At the center is a richl...

A striking and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu clock signed by Raingo Frères. The clock is raised by lovely mottled feet with a floral desig...

An exquisite antique French ormolu clock mounted with Sevres style porcelain. Made in finely gilded bronze, sculptured as a large gadrooned and handled urn, draped with acanthus garl...