GILT BRONZE MANTEL CLOCK. 19TH CENTURY.
Antiques - Miscellaneus / Clocks
Reference: ZF0207
Table clock. Gilt bronze. 19th century. A mantel clock made of gilt bronze with a sturdy base, enhanced by legs decorated with classically inspired vegetal and architectural motifs and a series of details on the front (volutes at the chamfered corners, scrolls, and a central globe radiating light and a scroll, both inscribed), as well as bands of simple architectural elements and plain spaces to highlight these decorations. A scroll for the dial (white, with Roman numerals for the hours and lines for the minutes, Breguet-style hands) is placed on this pedestal, surrounded by a garland. A male figure, dressed in Renaissance-style clothing, holds an unsheathed sword; in addition, several elements are placed on the dial (a globe, documents with texts in cursive French, etc.). The allusion to the sciences is clear in the prominent placement of the documents with their respective texts and the sphere. The detail of the sword refers to war. Thus, this figure would unite wisdom and action, combining both in the knight of a certain age, as should be the case in a ruler or people of a certain social class. The finest examples of bronze table clocks were made in France during the 19th century, or so it was considered. This was due to the meticulous organization and regulation of the manufacture of bronze fittings and components, the mercury-gilding technique, and the involvement of leading artists in the creative process, who were responsible for designing the figures and decorative motifs (it was also not uncommon to create figures inspired by or directly copying great works from the history of art). The resulting clocks were highly prized and used to decorate the interiors of palaces and prominent residences. Machinery in working order.
· Size: 43x17x55 cms.
2.500 €
