Clock "lion Head" In Gilt Bronze Néo-classique Japy Fils 1855

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An exceptional Napoleon III period mantel clock, crafted around 1860 from finely chased and gilded bronze. Its date is precisely confirmed by the movement's stamp, "Japy Frères 1855"—an iconic manufacturer listed in *Tardy – Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français* (Dictionary of French Clockmakers), with a mark that accurately places this piece's production between 1855 and 1860. The dial bears the signature "Bozzo à Angers"—a clockmaker also listed in *Tardy* around 1850—testifying to the collaboration between the prestigious Japy Frères manufactory and a renowned regional retailer. This dual signature fully authenticates the clock as a product of the Second Empire era.

Boasting a particularly majestic architectural design, the clock is crowned by a spectacular lidded vase in the antique style; it features delicate gadrooning, a pine-cone finial, and two elegant foliate handles terminating in clusters of berries. The circular body houses an unusually large dial of pristine white enamel, adorned with deep blue Roman numerals, an outer minute track with Arabic numerals, and slender, elegant openwork hands of gilded bronze. The composition is enhanced by a bezel chased with a twisted frieze and, most notably, by two impressive lion masks sculpted in high relief on either side of the dial; each holds a substantial ring adorned with hanging tassels in its mouth, lending the piece a monumental presence. The base features an elegant design of inverted scroll brackets, richly decorated with broad, finely veined acanthus leaves. Between these brackets lies a delicate openwork trellis panel, embellished with a sumptuous, cascading oak-leaf garland suspended from rosettes. The substantial base rests on four imposing, stepped, and fluted feet; its center features a magnificent Rococo-inspired foliate mount, perfectly balanced by a frieze of gadrooning and beadwork that highlights the richness of the chasing. Every element reveals craftsmanship of remarkable quality, characteristic of the finest Parisian productions of the Second Empire.

With its impeccable authenticity, historically documented dual signature, imposing architectural form, and the exceptional quality of its gilt bronze, this clock is a decorative masterpiece of the highest order. Its spectacular dial—framed by lion masks—its rich Neoclassical ornamentation, and its excellent state of preservation make it a highly sought-after collector's item. Combining historical prestige, decorative impact, and superb craftsmanship, it will naturally grace the most elegant interiors and the finest collections of 19th-century French horology.

Original, unmodified movement, striking the hours and half-hours on an antique bell.