Louis XV Style Clock Attributed To Léon Messagé (1842-1901)

Exceptional Louis XV style gilt bronze clock made by the sculptor and ornamentalistLéon Messagé (1842-1901). This clock adopts the forms of the 18th century. Indeed, the arabesques, as well as the ornamental vocabulary, are characteristic of the rocaille style. The decoration is very rich, made of very moving curves. The lower part is dedicated to the marine theme with shells and two dolphins on each side, a bearded man mascaron, motifs frequently used by Léon Messagé. A winged putto with a bow and quiver sits atop the clock. The clock face is signed "Emile Colin & Cie et Paris 29, rue Sévigné", a firm with whom Messagé, but also Linke, worked. Our clock is the result of the collaboration withColinand Léon Méssagé who made this original aesthetic their signature. Although this clock is not signed by Léon Méssagé, there is no doubt about its attribution. In his Cahier des dessins et croquis Style Louis XV, published in 1890, Rue Sédaine in Paris, we find two drawings of clocks, very close to the one we present here. In Christopher Payne's book on François Linke, a clock very similar to this one is illustrated on page 93. The same ornamental vocabulary, the same overall composition crowned by a putto and similar sculptural work can be found.

Bibliography
Christopher Payne, François Linke, 1855 - 1946, The Belle Époque of French Furniture. Antique Collectors' Club, Woodbridge, UK 2003, pp. 71-95

Provenance : Private collection

Dimensions
Height : 24.8 in
Length : 13.38 in
Depth : 9.05 in

Period : 1890
Origin : France, Paris
Materials : Gilt bronze