Clock Portico Watchmaker: Pons 1827

A Restoration period portico clock in mercury-gilt bronze and patinatedbronze, resting on a monumental architectural structure inspired byAntiquity. The whole adopts an architectural composition in the form ofa small temple, structured by four cylindrical columns in dark brownpatinated bronze, arranged in a portico and resting on finely chasedgilt bronze square bases. The richly ornamented Corinthian-inspiredcapitals feature a profusion of acanthus leaves and volutes, supportinga projecting entablature treated like a classical cornice.

The upper section consists of a rectangular entablature surmounted by amassive plinth. The frieze is enlivened by an applied decoration ofscalloped garlands held by floral rosettes in relief. The cornice,particularly elaborate, is enriched with successive moldings and a rowof finely chiseled dentils, reminiscent of the orders of classicalarchitecture and lending the clock a solemn and balanced character.

At the center of the composition, suspended between the columns, is thecircular white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, encircled by agilt-bronze bezel decorated with pearls and stylized leaves. Theopenworked blued-steel hands indicate the hours and minutes. The dialhas two openings for winding the movement. Below it appears adecorative element in the form of a stylized lyre, also in gilt bronze,which supports an exposed pendulum richly adorned with a large circularmedallion chased with scrolls, palmettes, and floral motifs.

The architectural base echoes the contrast between patinated and giltbronze. The front of the clock is decorated with a large openwork motifof symmetrical scrolls and intertwined foliage, centered by a laurelwreath. The lower plinth is embellished with a continuous frieze ofpalmettes and rests on four small rectangular feet adorned with raisedplant motifs.

The clock is distinguished by the quality of its chasing and theelegant contrast between the dark patina of the architectural elementsand the gleam of the gilt bronze, characteristic of portico clocks fromthe first third of the 19th century.

The mechanism bears the stamp of the clockmaker PONS and is dated 1827.PONS is listed in Tardy's Dictionary of Clockmakers. This high-qualitymovement confirms the French origin of this clock and its place amongthe refined production of the Restoration period.

The original mechanism is intact and unaltered, with a wire suspension.The hour and half-hour strikes are played on an antique bell with aclear and authentic sound.


ORDERING AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM OUR WEBSITE