Large Cartel To Pose In Chiseled And Gilded Bronze, Napoleon III Period.

Imposing, finely chiseled and gilded bronze table clock, remarkable for its large dimensions and the exceptional quality of its execution. The set is complete with its base, its original movement, its bell and its period pendulum. The movement works perfectly. This model brilliantly illustrates the Second Empire taste for large decorative compositions inspired by the Louis XV style, interpreted with a breadth typical of the second half of the 19th century. The rich but balanced rocaille ornamentation displays a decoration of finely chiseled scrolls, volutes and acanthus leaves. The shock absorber is crowned by a covered vase of a typically Louis XV shape with foliate handles, decorated with bundles of ribboned rushes, a motif already announcing the transition to the Louis XVI style. The original gilding, superbly preserved, offers a subtle contrast between matte backgrounds and shiny reliefs, highlighting the precision of the chiseling work and the mastery of the bronzier. The motifs are powerfully clear, the reliefs clean and nervous, the backgrounds finely sandblasted. The white enameled dial, decorated with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes, retains its original openwork hands. With its exceptional proportions, the quality of its chiseling and the freshness of its gilding, this large table-top cartel perfectly embodies the art of the great Parisian bronziers of the 19th century, masters in the art of reinterpreting with splendor the great styles of the 18th century. A ceremonial piece of rare presence, ideal for adorning a fireplace, a chest of drawers or a console in a refined interior. Height: 82 cm Width: 56 cm Depth: 33 cm