Marble And Gilt Bronze Study And Philosophy Clock, Also Known As "pendule Aux Marechaux"

Marble and gilt bronze study and philosophy clock also known as "aux maréchaux".

Supported on a green marble base with gilt bronze frieze decoration, the gilt bronze clock is presented between two finely chased antique figures, a man writing and a woman reading.

The clock decorated with a lyre and laurels resting on two crossed horns of plenty features a bronze dial with Roman numerals on enamel pastilles.

Wire movement.

Work from around 1800.

The maréchaux clocks take their names from a legend according to which Napoleon Bonaparte gave these clocks to his most loyal men, including the famous maréchaux. Although Napoleon did indeed give clocks to his generals (including those from the Italian campaign in 1804), the model offered was not exclusively that of the "maréchaux" type. There were other models, reproducing creations from the reign of Louis XVI, but with innovative structures. Intriguingly, there are no known names of marshals who might have received this gift to prove the authenticity of this gesture, even though most of them did.
This type of clock existed from 1784-1785 until the end of the 19th century, and in more or less faithful copies. Its original title, "Pendule des maréchaux", is often accompanied by a second name, "L'Étude et la Philosophie" or, less often, "La Lecture et l'Écriture".
Invented by Daguerre with the help of the bronze-maker Rémond. Under the Ancien Régime, Daguerre was a merchant who supplied furniture and bronzes to the French aristocracy and European courts. The marchand-mercier traded in objets d'art (furniture, bronzes, earthenware, porcelain) as an interior decorator. Rémond (1747-1812), awarded the title of Master in 1774, supplied Daguerre with no fewer than thirty-two commissioned clocks between 1784 and 1788. Some of these clocks have found their way into the collections of museums, European courts and ministries. A fine career for these pre-revolutionary clocks... and a great source of inspiration for the years that immediately followed! Particularly for the initial clocks from 1784 to 1788, which served as models for the so-called "maréchaux" clocks. There are two sizes supplied by Rémond. One is approx. 54 cm, the other approx. 69 cm. This is due to the length of the marble, which varies by a maximum of 1 to 3 cm in each size. The proportions remain identical. From the revolutionary, consular and imperial eras onwards, these dimensions evolve, more or less maintaining the original aesthetic.