French Ormolu Table Clock, 1810

Description

Fire-gilded bronze table clock: Dancing female figure on a high, tiered oval base with an appliquéd relief ornament on the … more Fire-gilded bronze table clock: Dancing female figure on a high, tiered oval base with an appliquéd relief ornament on the front featuring a fruit basket and a Thyrsos staff entwined with vine leaves, on four fluted screw feet, the young woman, presumably Ariadne, the bride of the wine god Dionysus, wearing a figure-hugging, flowing dress with a vine wreath on her tied-up hair, holding castanets in both hands and carrying a Thyrsos staff with pine cones on her right shoulder, from which a tambourine serves as a case for the clockwork, with an amphora and a footed bowl at her feet. Clock with spring-wound verge escapement, 1-day power reserve, white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals. Movement checked by master clockmaker, completely cleaned and fully functional, key present. The Empire style clock case was probably made in France around 1810. At the time, 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 around 1810 Dimensions: Height: 24,0 cm / 9.44 in Width: 15,0 cm / 5.90 in Depth: 8,0 cm / 3.14 in Weight: 1340 Grams / 43.08 troy oz Condition: Very well maintained overall condition, movement checked by master clockmaker, completely cleaned and fully functional, key present. less