Cottin In Paris - Important Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Clock From The Napoleon III Period

An important and spectacular gilt bronze mantel clock, made during the Second Empire, in the elegant and rigorous style of Louis XVI. Exemplifying exceptional craftsmanship, this piece is immediately distinguished by its remarkable proportions and imposing height of 62 cm, which lend it a rare and particularly majestic decorative presence. The perfectly structured composition is surmounted by a finely chased covered vase with handles, accentuating the verticality and monumental balance of the whole. The central section displays a highly precise neoclassical decoration, combining friezes, foliage, and ornaments inspired by antiquity, rendered with a depth of relief and a fineness of chasing characteristic of the finest Parisian productions of the second half of the 19th century. The circular dial with Roman numerals, elegantly framed by a gilt bronze bezel, is signed “Cottin à Paris,” attesting to the quality of the clockmaking and the renowned Parisian workshop. It houses an antique mechanical movement, conforming to the standards of excellence of the period. The clock rests on a structured rectangular base, further enhancing its monumental character and perfect architectural legibility. In its level of execution, the richness of its gilding, and the rigor of its design, this clock can be compared to the productions of the great Parisian houses of the 19th century, such as Maison Denière or Maison Beurdeley, famous for their prestigious bronze furnishings, inspired by the 18th century and intended for a demanding clientele. Like these benchmark works, it fully illustrates the Second Empire's taste for statement clocks, designed to magnify the most refined interiors. Combining spectacular scale, classical elegance, and technical excellence, this clock is a truly outstanding decorative piece. It will naturally find its place on a large mantelpiece, in a library or a characterful living room, where it will bring nobility, distinction and historical depth. A work of very fine quality, rare in its dimensions, intended for a discerning connoisseur or collector sensitive to grand French furniture of the 19th century.