Clock Allegorical To The Musical Putto Representing Love

This mercury-gilt bronze clock, dating from the Charles X period around1840, depicts a cherub with youthful, idealized features holding alyre. He sits slightly off-balance on a mound, one leg relaxed whilethe other is bent, creating a supple and natural movement. His torsoleans delicately towards the lyre, absorbed by the music. His bowedhead and lowered gaze reinforce this impression of intimacy andgentleness, while the fluid yet precise movements of his armsharmoniously complement the musical gesture. He is identified as aputto, but the presence of a bow and quiver at his side suggests a moreprecise identification as Cupid, or Eros, the god of love inGreco-Roman mythology. This association of attributes—the lyre,symbol of the arts and harmony, and the bow with its arrows, emblems oflove—lends the composition a particularly rich allegoricaldimension. It expresses the idea, dear to the 19th century, of aprofound link between love and the arts, with music appearing here as asensitive and universal manifestation of feelings.

The rectangular base is architecturally structured, treated in themanner of a classical entablature. The main frieze is richly decoratedwith a finely chiseled musical trophy, centered around a lyre andsurrounded by instruments, musical scores, and foliate scrolls, whiletwo winged putti enliven this frieze in a spirit that is both gracefuland allegorical. The whole rests on delicately molded scroll feet,which reinforce the elegance and visual stability of the piece.

Above this base rises a naturalistic mound supporting the circulardial, whose bezel is adorned with water lily and pearl motifs. The dialitself, finely guillochéd and decorated with floral patterns,features engraved Roman numerals, demonstrating the meticulousattention to detail. This mound, embellished with foliage and stylizedplant elements, serves as a setting for the central figure.

The quality of execution of this clock is truly remarkable. The chasingis distinguished by its precision and finesse, both in the treatment ofthe faces and in that of the draperies, wings, and decorative elements.The modeling of the cherub's body reveals great skill, with supplevolumes and particular attention paid to the rendering of flesh. Therich mercury gilding provides a luminous and homogeneous surface,highlighting the reliefs and accentuating the interplay of light andshadow. This costly and delicate technique was reserved forhigh-quality pieces, confirming the object's precious nature.

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.

With its balanced forms, rich decoration, and subtle iconography, thisclock perfectly embodies the aesthetic of the Charles X period, markedby a return to classical inspiration tempered by a heightened taste forornamentation and refinement. It perfectly illustrates the expertise ofthe bronze artisans of this era and is both a utilitarian anddecorative object, elegantly combining poetry, music, and love.


ORDERING AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM OUR WEBSITE