19th Century Empire Style Mantel Clock By Céré In Paris.

Empire clock signed in Paris The clock is in gilded bronze representing Ceres as a goddess of fertility, agriculture, cereal crops and maternal relationships. In ancient Rome, she was worshiped by the people in order to bring her favor in the form of a bountiful harvest, to bring fertility to the crops as well as the fertility of women. The Empire style was based on elements of the Roman Empire and its many archaeological treasures, rediscovered from the 18th century. The goddess is presented in a delicate dress conforming to the contours of her body, sickle in hand with a bunch of wheat, seated on top of the clock case with bales of wheat beside her. She holds an undulating stola that frames her serene face, giving the impression of a windy scene. The pose of the figure could perhaps be inspired by a painting by Jaques Stella entitled "The Triumph of Galatea", where a figure of Galatea is also presented under a drapery arch. The white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals and gilt bronze hands bears a signature in Paris, including an 8-day spring-loaded anchor movement with a hanging silk pendulum, a striking half-hour counting wheel on a bell. The gilt bronze clock case is composed of a column plinth with relief of an X-shaped cross tree branch tied with a ribbon, male face moldings simulating water fountains and bordered at the bottom of the clock. 'a leaf motif frame. The oval base of the clock with fine high reliefs placed on six toupee feet supports this magnificent 19th century clock. The reliefs on the front represent laurel wreaths next to a frieze with two winged snakes quenching their thirst in a water fountain while afloat. The serpent (a creature that represented the rebirth of nature and the fertility of the earth) was the most sacred animal for Ceres. A pair of winged snakes pulled their chariot according to mythology. The sides of the base are also decorated with a leaf pattern border resembling barley leaves. LITERATURE A similar figure on the clock can be found in Pierre Kjellberg, "La Pendule Française du Moyen Age au XXe Siècle", 1997, p. 448, pl. B, however the goddess who is represented there is Amphitrite sailing on a conch escorted by a swan, a duck and a dolphin. The clock is also made from mostly gilded bronze. The clock is in excellent and perfect working order. In addition, it has been cleaned and maintained by a professional watchmaker specializing in museum maintenance. The eight-day movement. He strikes the hour and a half and the hour on his bell. The clock is delivered complete with its pendulum, its key and its bell.