Empire Clock By Claude Galle And Le Roy

1st Empire period clock in finely chiseled and gilded bronze depicting a winged Apollo playing the lyre. Refined model *listed by the famous bronzier Claude Galle (1759 - 1815) received master in 1786. Note that an identical clock adorned the fireplace in the bedroom of the Princess of Moskova née Bonaparte (see attached document in photo n°12). The perceptual quality of this work is completed by a prestigious clockwork signed on the dial "Le Roy Horloger de Madame" (Bazile-Charles Le Roy 1765-1839 appointed clockmaker to Her Imperial and Royal Highness Madame Mother of the Emperor in 1805). The movement with silk thread suspension escapement is part of the architecture of the lyre animated in the center by a delicate openwork rosette of palmettes and leafy hearts, the upper part ends in crosiers decorated with swan necks. The whole rests on a quadrangular terrace receiving the symbols of Cupid such as his quiver and a torch, the facade is richly animated by a large bucolic frieze with motifs of swans, garlands, flowers and butterflies, while the sides receive crowns with acacia branches punctuated by torches and arrows. The four feet are in the shape of butterfly wings. This Empire clock is offered with its original gilding made of a very fine quality amalgam of gold and mercury, excellent quality of chasing. Movement to be revised, missing key and balance. Dimensions: 38 cm high X 30 cm long X 16 cm deep.

*Model precisely listed on page 154 of the work by Jean-Dominique AUGARDE "The workers of time, the clock in Paris from Louis XIV to Napoleon I" published by Antiquorum.LiteratureJean-Dominique Augarde, The workers of time, Geneva, 1996, p.154, fig. 120Elke Niehüser, French bronze clocks, p.96 fig. 151 & p.233 #753Tardy, Dictionary of French clockmakers, p.24Dupont & Associés – Morlaix, March 10, 2020, for a version of this clock signed Claude GalleSotheby's – New York, May 23, 2012Christie's – London, December 13, 2001