SET OF MANTLE CLOCK AND CANDELABRA. GILT BRONZE, MARBLE. POCHON, JEAN-CHARLES. PARIS, FRANCE, LATE 18TH CENTURY.

Louis XVI clock garniture and candlesticks. Gilt bronze, marble. POCHON, Jean-Charles (active last third of the 18th century). Paris, France, circa 1780 or 1790 and 19th century. Bibliography: (clock) NIEHÜSER, Elke. "Die französische Bronzeuhr. Eine Typologie der figürlichen Darstellungen." Callwey, 1997. Page 131. The set comprises a table clock with a Parisian movement and two three-light candelabra, crafted from white marble and gilt bronze. The clock features a rectangular base with a projecting central section raised on four legs. This base is further enhanced with vegetal elements (garlands, leaves, scrolls, etc.) and architectural features in a distinctly classical style, along with a frieze of reliefs depicting children in various poses within an idyllic landscape with architecture in the background. The white dial displays Arabic numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals every fifteen minutes. The hour hand is fleur-de-lis, while the minute hand is highly decorated. The clock is surmounted by a composition of flowers, fruits, leaves, garlands, and a ribbon, highlighting arrows and a lit torch. On either side are Cupid with his bow and a female figure, most likely the goddess Venus. The two candelabras, each with three lights, have a circular marble base raised on legs and enhanced with a string of pearls in gilded bronze, the material from which the leaves and stems are also made, which, intertwining, create each of the three arms, which end in candlesticks with saucers decorated with embossed leaves and strings of pearls. The dial bears the inscriptions “Pochon” and “Paris,” alluding to the place of manufacture of the movement (Parisian machinery). Jean-Charles Pochon attained the title of master watchmaker around 1775 and is considered one of the leading figures in his field in the French capital during the last third of the 18th century. His works are held in several important private collections, such as the “Liechtenstein. The Princely Collections, Vaduz-Vienna,” and in institutions like the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. The movement may date from the 19th century. Similar examples of the watch case are known in private collections, as the bronzes originate from a Parisian workshop. It is known as “L'Amour drobe par ses armes” or “Amor Wird Seiner Waffen Beraubt” (Cupid is stripped of his weapons) due to its iconographic theme. As for the candelabras, they are reminiscent of Louis XV style pieces in some details, such as the way the leaves are arranged to create the shape of the pieces, but they also feature elements more similar to Neoclassical style (the candle holders and their decoration). Total weight: 20.35 kg.

· Size: Reloj: 30x12x45 cms. Cand. 17x17x28 cms.