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French Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Dauphin', Paris, Around 1800/1830

About the Item

Exquisite fire-gilded Empire bronze mantel clock: Structure in the form of a tall oval, stepped base with lotus leaf relief, standing on four tubular feet with side engraving, with a relief ornament applied to the centre of the front - a Venus shell holding a bundle of reeds, on the pedestal, which resembles a basin with a wavy surface, a dolphin resting with its head on the surface, on which a seated Cupid plays the lyre, the drum-shaped clock case integrated into the dolphin's upward-curving tail fin, relief dial with scene depicting the birth of Venus, hours and minutes painted in black enamel with Roman numerals, black Breguet hands, smooth pendulum suspended on a thread with half-hour and hour strikes on a bell. All components and the lyre are made of fire-gilded bronze, Cupid is made of dark brown patinated bronze. Movement checked by master clockmaker, completely cleaned and fully functional, key present. This pendule probably refers to the mythological episode in which Arion of Lesbos – a Greek singer and poet (possibly legendary and inspired by Apollo) – is threatened by the sailors who take him aboard their ship and, before his death, begs for mercy and to be allowed to play one last song on his lyre. His music attracts a group of dolphins to the ship, and when Arion jumps into the sea to escape his fate, one of the dolphins takes him on its back to Corinth... Such clocks were an important export article, particularly in Paris.As early as the second half of the 18th century, the fireplace had become established as a place to set up clocks – initially in the castles of France. Special clocks with a monumental character were developed for this location, which was very important in terms of the room's effect. The visualisation of the technical construction of the clockwork took a back seat. The clock had become an occasion for a small sculpture at eye level. The themes changed. Before the French Revolution, the theme was time itself: dawn, evening, youth, mortality. The Napoleonic era needed heroes, gods, brave and loyal citizens. In the second decade of the 19th century, the themes became less controversial – depictions of festivities, lovers and goddesses of fertility increased. Made in Paris, France, around 1800/1830 Bronze fir-gilded and patinated Dimensions: Height: 40,0 cm / 15.74 in Width: 23,0 cm / 9.05 in Depth: 15,0 cm / 5.90 in Weight: 5.760 Grams / 202.75 oz / 185.20 troy oz Condition: Very well maintained overall condition, movement checked by master clockmaker, completely cleaned and fully functional, key present.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20.87 in (53 cm)Width: 14.57 in (37 cm)Depth: 5.71 in (14.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Charles X (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Gilt,Hand-Crafted
  • Place of Origin:
    France
  • Period:
    1790-1799
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1790
  • Condition:
    Movement checked by master clockmaker, completely cleaned and fully functional, key existing.
  • Seller Location:
    Vienna, AT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1014445020672

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