Clock And Barometer Set, France, Gilded Bronze, Circa 1860

A beautiful set consisting of a clock and a barometer in the Louis XVI style, featuring a circular dial with a beaded border set within an oval frame imitating knotted stems. In the space between, openwork reminiscent of the filigree technique is surrounded by a garland of flowers composed of petals made of finely hammered bronze sheets. The set is suspended by a ribbon adorned with flowers and tied in a bow. This work attests to the technical virtuosity of the bronze artist who crafted these two mounts, whose delicate technique is more akin to that of a goldsmith. The white enamel dials feature a polychrome floral design painted along the inner rim and accented with gold highlights. The clock’s hands consist of a series of crossbars topped by a fleur-de-lis, the emblem of the French monarchy, while the barometer’s hand is topped by an arrow.