Clock With Two Cupids – Bronze Manufactory

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This elegant mantel clock depicting two Cupids, an allegory of tenderness and affection, dates from the Napoleon III period, circa 1880. The refined gilt-bronze composition bears the stamp of the Compagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles, a renowned Belgian manufactory founded on 6 July 1854 under the name Cormann et Cie, at rue d’Assaut in Brussels. Incorporated as a limited company in 1859, it officially adopted the name Compagnie des Bronzes in 1878, establishing itself during the nineteenth century as a major producer of artistic bronzes and decorative objects.

Crafted from finely chased and gold-gilt bronze and resting on a white Carrara marble base, this clock is preserved in excellent condition, allowing the richness of its materials and the quality of its workmanship to be fully appreciated.

The central scene immediately draws the eye through the grace and remarkable expressiveness of the two Cupids. In a delicate movement, one leans towards his companion as their hands meet in a gesture full of tenderness and intimacy. The closeness of their faces, their gently inclined gazes and the subtlety of their expressions lend the composition a genuine sense of intimacy. Their abundantly curled hair, rendered with exceptional finesse, contrasts with the softness of their flesh and its harmonious modelling. Light glides across the gilding, accentuating the curves of their bodies, the details of their wings and the delicacy of their poses. The ensemble offers a particularly charming evocation of tenderness and affection, in which the virtuosity of the bronze craftsmanship serves to convey emotion.

The clock rests on an architecturally designed white Carrara marble base, rectangular in plan with chamfered corners and projecting sections, supported by gilt-bronze spinning-top feet. The front is adorned with an elegant scalloped drapery motif, gathered at the centre by a bow, while the side panels feature decorative gilt-bronze ornaments. Above, the clock case incorporates a circular white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals, framed by a beaded moulding and surmounted by the sculptural group of the two Cupids. The finely crafted hands complete this sophisticated composition, whose harmonious combination of luminous marble, gilt bronze and three-dimensional sculpture reflects the decorative taste of the second half of the nineteenth century.

With its poetic subject, the quality of its chasing and the prestigious provenance of its manufacturer, this mantel clock is an excellent choice for a collection of fine bronzes or a refined classical interior.

Original movement, unmodified. Strikes the hours and half-hours on an antique bell, producing a clear and authentic sound.