GILT BRONZE MANTEL CLOCK. 19TH CENTURY.

Table clock. Ormolu. XIX century. Table clock made of gilt bronze with a powerful base, enhanced with legs decorated with vegetal and architectural motifs of classicist inspiration and a series of details on the front (volutes in the chamfered corners, scrolls and a center with a globe from which light radiates and a scroll, with inscriptions on both), as well as bands of simple architectural elements and smooth spaces to enhance those decorations. On this pedestal a scroll has been placed for the dial (white, with Roman numerals for the hours and lines for the minutes, Breguet-type hands), surrounded by a garland. In this area there is a male figure, dressed in costumes reminiscent of the Renaissance, holding a drawn sword; In addition, a series of elements have been placed on the part of the sphere (a globe, documents with texts in italics in French, etc.). The allusion to the sciences is clear by presenting the documents with the respective texts and the sphere in such a prominent place. The detail of the sword refers to war. Thus, it would be a figure that would unite wisdom and action, uniting both in the gentleman of a certain age, as it should be in a ruler or people of a certain social class. The best examples of bronze table clocks were made in France during the 19th century, or so it was considered. This is due to the care with which the manufacture of bronze applications and elements was organized and legislated, the mercury gilt bronze technique, and the participation in the creation process of leading artists who were in charge of the designs of the figures. and decorative motifs (also, it was not unusual to make figures inspired by or more directly copying great works of Art History). The resulting clocks were highly appreciated, being used to decorate the interiors of palaces and prominent residences. Machinery in working order.

· Size: 43x17x55 cms.