Jean-andré Reiche - Empire-period Gilt Bronze Clock

A rare and elegant Empire period mercury gilt bronze clock depicting a young woman seated in front of her weaving loom.
By its subject, composition and quality of execution, this clock clearly belongs to the models made after the designs of Jean-André Reiche, famous creator of the most beautiful allegorical Parisian clocks of the First Empire.

The subject is particularly rare on the market. Unlike the majority of Empire clocks, generally composed of a standing figure leaning against a classical clock terminal, this model adopts a much more elaborate and refined design: here, the movement is directly integrated into the loom furniture, while the figure, depicted seated, participates fully in the balance and architecture of the composition.
This construction gives the whole a particularly elegant silhouette and bears witness to genuine artistic research.

The female figure, treated with great delicacy, displays a very fine quality of chasing. The drapery, seat work, loom details and ornamental elements reveal a Parisian production of very fine quality, in the spirit of the great models known as "à la Lecture", "à l'Astronomie" or even "à l'Étude", particularly prized under the Empire.

The mercury gilding retains a very fine presence and remarkable depth, the whole being in a very fine state of preservation, particularly appreciable for a work of this period. Only slight wear on the smooth parts is visible, perfectly consistent with the age of the clock.
Note a small chip to the enamel dial (see photographs).

The movement works correctly.

With its dimensions of 32 cm high by 28 cm wide, this clock has particularly harmonious proportions, ideal for a mantelpiece or bookcase.

A very beautiful Empire clock, rare both in its subject and its design, combining elegance, originality and quality of execution in the taste of the great Parisian productions of the early 19th century.