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Empire Clocks

EMPIRE STYLE

From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in ​​Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.

Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.

Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.

Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.

Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Empire
Set Vase Clock 19th Century Style Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
This Etruscan vase-shaped mantel clock cast from bronze with gilded elements and brown patina originated from the first half of the nineteenth century. The Empire style was based on ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Vase Clock 19th Century Style Empire by Blanc Fils Palais Roya
Located in Warsaw, PL
This finely chiseled vase clock was cast from bronze with gilded elements originated from the first half of the nineteenth century. The Empire style was based on elements of the Roma...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Rare Model Empire Clock Depicting Faustulus Discovering Romolus and Remus
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The highest quality late French Empire/Charles X mantle clock in terms of bronze casting, chasing, and gilding. The partially clad figure of Fau...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock of a Seated Roman Emperor
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire period mantel (fireplace) clock showing a seated Roman emperor in finely chased patinated bronze holding a sword in one hand and a Roman banner in the other. He ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Portal Clock, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Portal clock on a rectangular, stepped base in mahogany veneered with small bun feet. The stepped architrave is supported by four smooth columns, the capi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century, French Chiselled and Gilt Bronze Table Clock
Located in IT
19th century, French chiselled and gilt bronze table clock This table clock was made of chiselled and gilded bronze in the early 19th centur...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

18th Century France Louis XVI Gilt Mantel Clock by Lepine, 1790s
Located in Roma, RM
Wonderful golden clock, signed Jean-Antoine Lépine, (born November 18, 1720, Challex, France, Died May 31, 1814 (aged 93)Paris, France) a wonderful exam...
Category

1790s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Ormolu French Empire clock, drumhead case with applied frieze decoration to the base, standing on turned and engraved feet. Superb engine turned dial centre, the gilded dial with Roman numerals, original hands and floral cast bezel surround. Convex glass to the rear supporting the eight day movement with outside countwheel striking and silk suspension. The whole surmounted by a gilded winged...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Winged cupid with flowing robe, clock resting between wings and fabric, raised on bronze ormolu-mounted verde antico plinth. France, first half of the 19th century. Measures: H ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

18th Century Clock, Baillon in Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This is a unique, authentic antique French table or mantel clock. It is in finely chiseled and gilded bronze. The dial with outer Arabic numerals and inner Roman numerals and a fine pair of pierced gilt brass hands for the hours and minutes. Next to the clock is a tall lady figurine, accompanied by a child. The woman is holding a book in her right hand and a feather pen in her left hand. On the other side, the child draped in the Antique is standing on books and holding a paper. The white marble base rests on four small spinning feet. This clock was made by Jean-Baptiste Baillon III, one of the most skilled and innovative makers of his day. Baillon achieved almost unprecedented success to become “the richest watchmaker in Europe” - F.J. Britten. He was also one of the most important clockmakers of the eighteenth century and undoubtedly the most famous member of a long line of clockmakers. His success was largely due to his ability to organise a vast and thriving private factory in Saint-Germain-en-Laye which was unique in the history of eighteenth century clockmaking. The renowned horologist, Ferdinand Berthoud was among many to be impressed by its scale and quality and in 1753 noted that Baillon’s “house is the finest and richest Clock Shop. Diamonds are used not only to decorate his Watches but even Clocks. He has made some whose cases were small gold boxes...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

c.1820 French Ormolu Mantle Clock Depicting Orpheus
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Case: The well-cast and finished ormolu case depicts a large male figure, Orpheus, standing on rockwork while leaning on the clock and playing the flute. He is surrounded by severa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm This fine gilt bronze man...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Palace size Marble and Bronze Dore’ Clock Adorned with Psyche and Amor Figures
Located in Houston, TX
Amazing clock depicting the tale of Amor and Psyche which Is about the god of love in Greek mythology. Large bronze Dore figures adorn the pediment sta...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock of Ceres, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE ORMOLU BRONZE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCK OF CERES, GODDESS OF AGRICULTURE Movement by Etienne Tavernier; France, circa 1815 Item # 104HWG22Z A fine Empire period mantel clock with bun feet raising a rectangular base with a central portrait of Bacchus flanked by exquisitely chiseled motif of swirling foliage surmounted by a figure of the goddess Ceres grasping in her lowered hand a wreath woven with foliage and berries while in her garment she collects a bountiful harvest; she rests beside the clock tower with a framed lens opening to access the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals inscribed Etn. Tavernier set with Breguet style hands, raising an urn filled with fruits of the soil; against the tower rest the implements of labor, a shovel and flat rake. The movement is engraved "B". A significant clock movement maker, Etienne Tavernier (French, 1756-1839) is listed in Tardy's horology reference as working closely with the house of Abraham-Louis Breguet as well as providing clock movements...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock, Machine Signed L. Moinet, France
By Louis Moinet
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock, machine signed L. Moinet A Paris. France, early 19th century.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

c.1810 French Ormolu Mantle Clock, ‘La Delivrance de l’Amour’
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Maker: Dubuc Aine à Paris Case: The well-cast and finished ormolu is surmounted by a female figure leaning over and opening the top door of cage containing a putti. Flanking t...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

c.1810 French Figural Mantle Clock Signed Dubuc.
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Maker: Dubuc – Clockmaker. Case: The well-cast ormolu case depicts a barnyard scene with a maiden supporting a milk jug accompanied by several animals that include a sheep, ro...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Malachite Allegorical Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mounted malachite allegorical mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50m, width 21cm, depth 14cm This fine mantel clock is an excellent ex...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Empire Clock, "Cupid & Psyche"
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt and patinated bronze Empire clock. Rouge griotte marble. Signed bled a Paris. Silk thread suspension. France, circa 1804 Dimensions: Height 32" x width 21" x depth 11...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Venus and Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock with Venus and Cupid French, early 19th Century Measures: Height 53cm, width 37.5cm, depth 13.5cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The clock includes a sculptural surmount of Venus accompanied by Cupid. Venus sits atop the square clock...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures French, 19th century Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm This mantel clock feat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Fire Gilded Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful fire gilded Empire mantel clock with a shepherdess on top with a wreath and ribbon. On the left a staff with pan flute. At the bottom of the clo...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Empire Clock, Western Europe, circa 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique Empire clock, Western Europe, circa 1860. Dimensions: height 224 cm / width 54 cm / depth. 29 cm.
Category

1860s Belgian Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Category

1810s Belgian Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Clock in Finely Chiseled and Gilded Bronze
Located in PALERMO, IT
Elegant and important table clock in finely chiseled and gilded bronze. Finely chiseled bronze plate, depicting a winged lady and chariot, adorn the front part of the base, in the up...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Royal Empire Mantel Clock / Pendulum Clock, Fire-Gilt, Around 1805-1815, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire mantel clock / pendulum clock, fire-gilt, around 1805-1815, Paris Solid bronze, fire-gilded, Paris around 1805-1815, original French Empire from the first period. ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Period French Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The clock features a winged cupid standing on his chariot drawn by two doves and supported on clouds; cupid holds the reins to two doves which appear to be guiding the chariot. The o...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock by Deverberie a Paris, Fire-Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
French Empire mantel clock from DeVerberie a Paris. Fire-gilded. Age-related condition.
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 23.5cm, depth 11cm This mantel clock was finely crafted in the Empire period, wrought from ormolu and a later malachite veneer. The design of the clock is based on classical architecture. It features a malachite entablature—with an ormolu pierced mount to the front—which is supported on four ormolu bun feet. The malachite column shafts are smooth and each culminate in a capital, supporting the malachite top. Between the columns, there is a drum clock...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

19th French Empire Mantel Clock, Pendule, Mercury, Gilded Bronze, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
19th century French pendule, mantel clock - Mercury the messenger of the gods France Bronze gilded Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 37 x 30 x 10 cm Description: French Empire...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Clock in Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in chiselled and gilt bronze composed by a rectangular base on which stand the dial-plate and a statuette of Bacchus. Round dial-plate with Roman numbers off-center on the righ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Sevres Style Porcelain Bronze Mounted Mantel Picard Clock
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a Sevres style porcelain ormolu bronze mounted mantel clock. The frontal cobalt blue porcelain panel is hand painted with a winged cherub holding a basket of flowers. Below him,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts. The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Marble Table Clock with Bird Sculpture, Germany, 1950
Located in Chorzów, PL
Pink and green marble table clock comes from Poland, from circa 1950s. Brown bird sculpture on the top. Clock mechanism checked by clockmaster,...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble

French Early 19th Century Empire Period Mantel Clock Signed Ledure
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Very fine early 19th century Empire period mantel clock of patinated bronze. It is signed by one of the best Parisian bronzers Pierre Victor Ledure and h...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751-1843) Empire marble mantel (fireplace) clock. 1st quarter 19th century; Rouge Griotte marble and bronze doré...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Allegorical Clock of Love Nourishing Life
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural French Empire clock in gilded bronze representing an allegory on how love nourishes life or “L’Amour alimentant la vie” in French. The clock shows a seated winged Amor refi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian bronze ormolu walnut Vatican wall clock. Item features glass dome front, bronze ormolu. Has not been tested, circa early 1900s. Measurements: 34" H x ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Clock Depicting the Astronomical Sciences
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine early 19th century French Empire gilt bronze clock representing an allegory of astronomy; featuring two classically draped maide...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Clock Depicting Psyche Playing with a Butterfly After Canova
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire Clock depicting Psyche playing with a butterfly after a marble statue by Canova displayed in the Louvre. A patinated bronze Psych...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figurative Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt bronze figurative mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 33cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm This superb mantel clock is a wonderful example of the...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Gilt Brass Table Mantle Clock
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century gilt brass mantle clock with the glass hood. Decor of foliage, arrows, and bow. Crowned by an angel with lyre. The glas dome has...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene. Stock number: CC59.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Portico Timber Clock, circa 1815
Located in Pymble, NSW
A brilliant French portico clock with ormolu mounts and pendulum mounted with 2 swans with 'blackened' necks and wings. The timber is gleaming with its...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Burl

Allegorical Gilt Bronze Clock Depiction Clio, the Muse of History and Music
By Louis-Charles Boileau
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An Allegorical gilt bronze French Empire clock Depiction Clio, the the Greek Muse of History and Music. Clio is shown here sitting on the clock plinth playing her harp. To the left of the clock dial are placed wreaths, and a plaque with the names of Roman Poets “Pline”, “Homere”, “Tasse”, and “Virgile”. The lower section of the clock is decorated with a large mount and a relief of Apollo. The finely chased and gilt bronze clock has its original movement. The white enamel dial signed Boileau a Paris, with its silk string suspension system ringing the hours and halfs on a bell. An identical clock sitting on a white and gilt console...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Galle
Located in London, GB
This beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) mantel clock was crafted in France during the period when Napoleon I was Emperor (1804-1814, 15). It was designed by the famous bronze caster and ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

French Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Claude Galle
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Claude Galle, (1759–1815, master in 1786) is one of the most renowned bronziers active during the Napoleonic period, such as Pierre-Philippe Thomire, André-Antoine Ravrio and Louis-S...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Grand French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Constructed in bronze, patinated and gilt; the rectangular form case supported on engraved oblate spherical feet, the frieze dressed with a row of female masks capping pillars, linke...
Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Lapis French Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This exquisite early 19th century mantel clock is mounted with gilt bronze and has benefited from the addition of a later lapis lazuli veneer. The clock is formed of a cylindrical clock...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu

Gilt French Empire Table Clock, Early 1800s
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire table clock, first half of the 19th century. Measures: Width 30, depth 11, height 38 cm. Key included. Later added hatch at back....
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Brass

French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez French, circa 1815 Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Allegorical Clock Depicting Roman Triumph and Power
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural gilt bronze French Empire clock, ‘Allegory to Triumph and Power’. A Roman emperor stands to the right of the central rectangular plinth housing the movement; atop the plint...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock, Fidelity
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th century Empire clock crafted of gilt bronze, or ormolu, featuring an allegorical scene with a woman sitting at her work table play...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Claude Galle, Breguet a Paris, and C. Maniere. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $445 and tops out at $145,000 while the average work can sell for $7,774.

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