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19th Century French Empire Clock
19th Century French Empire Clock
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Early 19th Century French Empire Pendule Portefaix circa 1810 Paris

$15,226.70
£11,280.31
€12,800
CA$20,943.45
A$23,295.12
CHF 12,220.59
MX$284,253.40
NOK 153,383.81
SEK 144,545.64
DKK 97,457.51

About the Item

Paris, Empire, c. 1810, bronze body, fire-gilt and patinated, designed by Jean-André Reiche in 1808, 8-day movement, enamel dial with Roman numerals, figure of the wearer on an oval base, very nice condition Dimensions: height 37 cm, width 28 cm, depth 10.5 cm Beautiful, fire-gilded and patinated bronze pendulum from the early 19th century. It depicts a young man carrying a large cotton parcel on his back. He is holding a letter in his right hand and leaning on a bamboo stick with his left. His tobacco pipe is tucked into his hat string and he is carrying his water bottle on his belt. Not only does the fire-gilding contrast interestingly with the deep black patinated bronze, but the white glass eyes are also particularly striking. The ciselleur has managed to make materials tangible through different surface finishes. For example, the skin is subtly hatched differently to the cotton fabric of the trousers - please take a look at the photo showing the foot in detail. The proportions of the figure are perfect, and the drape of the trousers emphasizes the dynamic movement. The heart of the clock is an 8-day pendulum movement. The Breguet hands are blued and the pendulum is suspended from a thread, typical of the period. The clock strikes a bell on the half and full hour. Interesting facts: The depiction of Le Portefaix was created by the Parisian bronze caster Jean-André Reiche, who had his artistic design registered in Paris in 1808. In addition to the depiction of the cotton picker, there are numerous other pendulums that deal with the theme of colonization. Other themes from the "new world" were also treated artistically - exotic animals and plants - butterflies, birds of paradise, tobacco and spices... As a sign of admiration for the exotic, the "Au Bon Sauvage" pendulums are a typical feature of the Enlightenment at the end of the 18th century. They show the yearnings of a hitherto Europe-centered society, which was urged by the discovery of seafaring and the revolution of 1789 to look beyond its usual horizons. [Source: Elke Niehüser - The French bronze clock p. 140-143]
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)Width: 11.03 in (28 cm)Depth: 4.14 in (10.5 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Enamel,Gilt
  • Period:
    Early 19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1810
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Münster, DE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU9172245811022

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