GILT BRONZE MANTEL CLOCK. 19TH CENTURY.
Antiques -
Reference: ZF0207
Table clock. Gilt bronze. 19th century. Table clock made of gilded bronze with a powerful base, enhanced by legs decorated with vegetal and architectural motifs of classical inspiration and a series of details on the front (scrolls on the chamfered corners, scrolls and a centre with a globe from which light radiates and a scroll, with inscriptions on both), as well as bands of simple architectural elements and plain spaces to enhance these decorations. On this pedestal is placed a scroll 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 is a male figure, dressed in clothing reminiscent of the Renaissance, holding an unsheathed sword; in addition, a series of elements have been placed on the dial part (a globe, documents with cursive texts in French, etc.). The allusion to science is clear in the prominent presentation of the documents with their respective texts and the sphere. The detail of the sword refers to war. Thus, it would be a figure that would unite wisdom and action, uniting both in the knight 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 believed. This is due to the care with which the manufacture of bronze applications and elements was organised and regulated, the technique of mercury gilded bronze, and the participation in the creation process of top-notch artists who were in charge of the designs of the figures and decorative motifs (it was also not unusual to make figures inspired by or copying more directly great works from the History of Art). The resulting clocks were highly appreciated, and were used to decorate the interiors of palaces and notable residences. Machinery in working order.
· Size: 43x17x55 cms.
2.800 €
