Empire Clock - Allegory Of History And Glory, Signed Fleschelle In Paris - Circa 1815

Superb Empire clock in gilt bronze, signed on the white enamel dial "Ls Fleschelle à Paris". Tardy cites a clockmaker named Fleschelle, established in the Passage des Panoramas in 1820, which places our piece in the prestigious context of Parisian clockmaking in the first quarter of the 19th century. The dial with fine Roman and Arabic numerals is framed in high-quality gilt bronze, with precise chiseling and well-preserved original gilding. The decoration is of exceptional symbolic richness, characteristic of the allegorical compositions of the Empire period. On the left, a seated female figure holding a tablet and style embodies Clio, muse of History, responsible for engraving great deeds to transmit them to posterity. On the right, a winged genius stands, holding a burning torch and a laurel wreath: he symbolizes both the light of knowledge and the eternal glory granted to actions worthy of memory. The upper part is crowned with a flaming globe, a sign of universal renown and the spread of the arts and knowledge throughout the world. The richly decorated rectangular base features a finely chiseled frieze of genies and attributes. These include an owl and an antique lamp, explicit symbols of Minerva (Athena), goddess of Wisdom and protector of the arts and sciences. These elements reinforce the intellectual and philosophical scope of the work: wisdom illuminates time, memory preserves facts, and glory makes them immortal. Beyond its symbolism, this clock seduces with the balance of its composition and the remarkable quality of its execution. The mercury gilding, still very beautiful, reveals a warm patina and highlights the finesse of the chiseling, typical of the great Parisian bronzework under the Empire. This is a refined art object, intended for a cultured elite eager to assert their taste for history, the arts and the grandeur of Antiquity revisited by imperial neoclassicism. The movement works. A rare and emblematic piece of Empire decorative art, combining watchmaking quality, allegorical richness and elegance of composition. It will appeal to both discerning collectors and lovers of historical and prestigious objects.