Table Clock. Gilded Bronze. 19th Century.

Table clock. Gilt bronze. 19th century.
Gilt bronze table clock with a powerful base, enhanced by feet decorated with plant and architectural motifs of classical inspiration and a series of details on the front (volutes on the chamfered corners, volutes and center with a globe from which light radiates and a volute, 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 were placed on the dial part (a globe, documents with cursive texts in French, etc.). The allusion to science is evident in the highlighting of the documents with their respective texts and the sphere. The detail of the sword refers to war. It would therefore be a figure that would bring together wisdom and action, uniting the two in the knight of a certain age, as it should be in a sovereign 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 applications and bronze elements was organized and regulated, the technique of mercury-gilded bronze, and the participation in the creative process of leading artists responsible for the design of figures and decorative motifs (it was also not uncommon to make figures inspired by or copying more directly great works in the history of art). The resulting clocks were highly prized and were used to decorate the interiors of palaces and notable residences.
Machines in working order. -
Size: 43x17x55 cm