Empire Period Vase Clock Signed Robin In Paris

chased and gilt bronze Empire period swan vase clock, circa 1810. The ovoid clock body rests on a pedestal. The handles are in the form of swans drinking from a bowl simulating a fountain. The square base has four canted sides adorned with applied openwork bronze decoration of foliage. The motifs include palmettes, a crown, and knots. The round feet are chased. The clock boasts very fine chasing and thick period mercury gilding, matte and burnished with agate. The white enamel dial is signed Robin Ainé, with black Roman numerals and blued steel hands known as "Breguet hands." The movement strikes the hours and half-hours, has an 8-day power reserve, and is suspended by a thread.

Height 40 cm, base 13.5 cm x 13.5 cm. Weight 4.2 kg.

An elegant and timeless piece. The clock is complete with pendulum, bell, and two keys for winding and setting the time (fast/slow). It is in very good working order.

Robin Ainé (Jean-Joseph): Clockmaker 1806/1812 rue Saint Honoré, Paris, then rue Richelier 1815/1825. Eldest son of the renowned clockmaker Robert Robin.

Condition report: a tiny chip near one of the dial's winding holes, of no consequence. The clock retains its original movement and gilding. The original back bezel is partially worn. References:

This clock is referenced in various documents, including "La pendule française" by P. Kjellberg, page 379. An identical, fully gilded model is part of the F. Duesberg collection, housed in the museum bearing his name (Mons Museum in Belgium)