Early 19th Century Madame de Staël Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock

This imposing clock brings to the table - or, rather, mantle - the full suite of iconography for a subject that must’ve come as a welcome relief to the French after the trauma of th...

A mantel clock from the French “Restauration” era of 1815-1830 in fire-gilt bronze. The dial is enamelled white and the hours are depicted with Roman numerals. The figure represents ...

A mantle clock of very good quality from the French Restoration period c 1820. The neoclassical character represents the shepherd Paris, with requisite stick and hat, admiring a but...

A small, svelte French portico clock from the Directory Era, 1795-99. In the "Retour d’Egypte” style that became quite the hot thing following Napoleon’s - ahem! - incursion into Egy...

A French Charles X period gilt bronze figural mantel clock circa 1825. Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont and Paris, c. 1825. The sculptural group represents an allegory of navigation or Hop...

Empire mantel clock / French mantel clock, Flute player / Shepherd, Panpipes / Syrinx, Shepherd's crook, Tree stump, Musical instruments / Trophy, Mythology / Pastoral / Arcadia, Fire-gilt bronze / Ormolu, Patinated bronze, Two-tone / Ormolu and patinated bronze, Empire / Restauration (c. 1805–1820), France / Paris / French antique / Tardy This French mantel clock (*pendule*) from the Empire period (c. 1805–1815) is distinguished by a classic bucolic-mythological motif. signed ""Harvard a Rouen"" Description & Stylistic Features Motif: Depiction of a shepherd or youth playing the flute (possibly representing Daphnis, Pan, or Marsyas). He sits upon a dark-patinated tree stump into which the clock face is set. Attributes: Beside the dial, a pan flute (syrinx) and a shepherd’s crook lean against a branch. Materials & Technique: A combination of fire-gilded bronze (ormolu)—featuring the original matte and burnished gilding—and dark-patinated bronze for the tree trunk and branch. Base: The rectangular gilded base features a fine appliqué depicting musical trophies, grapes, and cornucopiae. The base rests on sculptural feet shaped like goat hooves (faun legs). Dial & Movement: Gilded bronze dial with a guilloché center and Roman numerals. Two winding holes for the French pendulum movement, featuring silk-thread suspension and slide regulation. Classification & Condition Period: French Empire (reign of Napoleon I, c. 1805–1815). Condition: Very fine historical gilding with slight signs of age/patina on the surface of the base. The contrast between the fire-gilded figure and the dark patina of the tree is characteristic of high-quality Parisian bronze work from this era. This is an absolutely breathtaking piece! What you have before you is a classic French mantel clock from the Empire era (or the Restoration period), likely dating from the early to mid-19th century (approx. 1810–1830). These clocks are renowned for their first-class craftsmanship, combining precise timekeeping with exquisite, allegorical sculptures.The Figure: The gilded figure depicts a young man—presumably Apollo. The Scene: He sits upon a dark, patinated bronze base shaped like a tree stump or a rock formation, into which the clock’s dial is set. The Details: To his left (to our right), a pan flute (Syrinx) can be discerned leaning against the tree, accompanied by a shepherd’s staff or walking stick. The Frieze: The gilded relief on the rectangular base features a beautiful composition of an antique-style urn, horns, ribbons, and grapevines, further underscoring the Bacchic or pastoral theme. 1. Clockmaker & Provenance (Movement & Signature) Clockmaker: Havard Location: Rouen (Normandy, France) Classification: Havard was a clockmaker and goldsmith based in Rouen. During the Consulate and Empire periods (c. 1800–1815), renowned Parisian bronze foundries supplied fine cases to prominent clockmakers in the French provinces, who then completed the pieces with their own movements and signed dials. 2. Art Historical Classification (Style & Motif) Period: French Empire / Reign of Napoleon I (c. 1805–1815). Theme / Motif: Bucolic / pastoral-mythological depiction of a flute-playing shepherd (Daphnis or Attis/Pan theme). Material/Execution: Fire-gilded bronze (ormolu) combined with brown/black patinated bronze (tree stump, foliage). Base featuring musical trophy appliqués and goat-hoof feet. Standard literature and reference works for identifying French mantel clocks from this period: Standard Reference Works Elke Niehüser: *Die französische Bronzeuhr – Tabernakeluhr, Figuranduhr, Wanduhr, Cartel, Commode, Standuhr*. Callwey, Munich 1997. (The standard work on the typology and iconography of figurative Empire-style bronze clocks) Hans Ottomeyer / Peter Pröschel: *Vergoldete Bronzen – Die Bronzen des Spätbarock und Klassizismus*. 2 volumes, Klinkhardt & Biermann, Munich 1986. (Reference work on Parisian bronze makers, fire gilding, the art of chasing, and casting models) Jean-Dominique Augarde: *Les Ouvriers du Temps – La pendule française du Louis XIV à Napoléon Ier*. Antiquorum, Geneva 1996. (Comprehensive work on clockmakers, bronze casters, and manufacturing techniques) Pierre Kjellberg: *Encyclopédie de la Pendule Française du Moyen Age au XIXe Siècle*. Éditions de l'Amateur, Paris 1997. (Chronological overview with numerous comparative illustrations) Tardy (Henri-Léon Tardy): *Les Plus Belles Pendules Françaises*. Tardy, Paris. (Monumental standard work organized by period and motif) Specialized Literature & Directories Tardy: *Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français*. Tardy, Paris 1971–1972. (Reference work for identifying clockmaker signatures on dials or movements) Gérard L'Épaux: *Pendules Empire...

A superb gilt bronze and Sienna marble clock depicting Urania (muse of astronomy).

19th century gilt bronze clock. A gilt bronze clock from the 19th century, Napoleon III period, clock movement to be overhauled. Dimensions : H: 51cm, W: 37cm, D: 12cm Contact us ...