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Clock era Empire Watchmaker : LECOMTE 1810
| Materials: | Bronze mercury gilding, Marble |
|---|---|
| Era: | Empire 1804-1815 |
| Period: | XIXe siècle |
| Provenance: | French |
- Restored to original condition with original appearance.
- Full overhaul of watch movement, perfect working order.
- Perfect authenticity, without modification.
- Original gilding.
- Winding key & pendulum
- Operating instructions, how to start your clock.
- Certificate of authenticity, invoice.
- Ringtone on ancient bell, hour and a half-hour
Height: 33 cm
Width: 31 cm
Depth: 16 cm
Description
An Empire period clock, circa 1805, in finely chased and mercury-gilded bronze, with an architectural form, resting on an oblong, stepped base supported by four toupie feet. The main theme of this clock is an allegorical evocation of motherhood and protection, inspired by mythological and sentimental representations of Antiquity, revisited during the Empire period. The remarkable quality of the chasing and the exceptional state of preservation of the mercury gilding are noteworthy; large areas have retained their original brilliance with a rare mirror-like effect, revealing the full virtuosity of the fire-gilded bronze work.
The circular white enamel dial, with Roman numerals, is set within a quadrangular pedestal of simple yet monumental lines. This pedestal is embellished with a delicately engraved frieze framed by finely chased motifs. At the upper corners appear antique female masks, treated as idealized heads inspired by ancient Egypt. The lower part of the dial is adorned with two cherubs back to back, forming symmetrical applied figures. These winged genii, with their supple and theatrical poses, support leafy scrolls and vegetal tendrils from which emerge stylized palmettes and volutes. Their upward gesture guides the eye towards the dial and animates the composition with a delicate movement.
To the left of the movement stands a draped female figure in the antique style. Dressed in a light tunic with abundant, flowing folds, she adopts a posture full of grace and gentleness. Her raised arm makes a protective and benevolent gesture towards the child placed at the top of the clock, while her other hand, brought to her chest, accentuates the affectionate and maternal character of the scene. The fine modeling, the naturalistic treatment of the drapery, and the delicacy of the features attest to the high quality of the carving. At the top of the pedestal, a nude cherub emerges from a basket of flowers with gadrooned ribs. Surrounded by blooming roses, the cherub extends its arms toward the female figure in a lively and expressive pose. This composition can be interpreted as an allegory of Maternal Love, Education, or even Princely Birth. The visual dialogue between the woman and the cherub creates a scene imbued with tenderness, enhanced by the enveloping nature of the floral decoration.
To the right, a tripod incense burner harmoniously complements the clock's architecture. It rests on three tapered feet adorned with finely carved rams' heads, an emblematic motif of the classical repertoire and a symbol of sacrificial power. The vessel supports a spectacular, leaping flame, evoking the sacred fire or the eternal flame. The piece rests on a stepped pedestal decorated with a rich draped fabric suspended from tassels, at the center of which appears a butterfly in relief, a classic symbol of the soul and renewal. Beneath the cup, a hanging pine cone enriches the symbolic decoration; associated since Antiquity with fertility and immortality, it reinforces the allegorical scope of the composition.
The arched base is adorned with abundant applied relief decoration: crossed attributes, leafy garlands, quivers, torches, laurel branches, and flaming hearts compose a typically Neoclassical ornamental vocabulary. These motifs, finely chiseled, stand out against the matte and polished background of the gilding, creating a subtle contrast between satiny surfaces and burnished areas. The ends are decorated with laurel wreaths and trophies of love, reinforcing the allegorical spirit of the work.
This clock is a remarkable example of the art of mercury-gilded bronze during the Empire period, combining high-quality casting, fine chasing, and exceptional preservation of the gilding in a composition of great sculptural elegance. The original mechanism is intact and unaltered, with a wire suspension. It strikes the hours and half-hours on an antique bell, producing a clear and authentic sound.
The original mechanism is intact and unaltered, with a wire suspension. The hour and half-hour strikes are played on an antique bell with a clear and authentic sound.
Questions
Easily pay for your purchases using our highly protected bank card system with SSL certificate and 256 bit encryption, ensuring confidentiality when any information is transferred. On a web browser, the OVH SSL certificate activates the HTTPS protocol and displays a padlock in the navigation bar. This shows that any transaction is encrypted and confidential, and that your website address has been authenticated.
Our items mainly stem from the inheritance of objects, preciously looked after over numerous generations. There is a stringent selection process for each object ensuring perfect authenticity and the optimal amount of gilding
We do not use the term “Restoration”, which implies a significant transformation or major repair that modifies an object’s authenticity or original appearance. Each object is completely dismantled, then thoroughly cleaned part by part; our cleaning technique restores shine without adversely affecting the gold. We then put the clock back together, returning all the various parts to their origin location, as well as all the nuts and screws. Subsequently, the item is inspected to ensure it is perfectly even, symmetrical, and smooth, etc.
The clock’s movement undergoes a complete overhaul; it is totally dismantled, cleaned and each individual part is polished. The duration of this procedure affects the shine: we prefer to obtain a brilliant shine, in keeping with the gilding of the object. To increase the strength and quality of the gears, we apply a very important procedure, known as bouchonnage, to correct for wear accumulated over years of operation, consisting in the placing cork of stoppers in any pivot holes that have become deformed by wear. After the clock has been completely reassembled, it is tested over a long period of time to ensure that the movement, as well as the hour and half-hour strikes, are operating correctly.
- Akzeptierte Kreditkarten: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover und Diners Club.
- Bank transfer: You can also send us a copy of the bank transfer order to speed up the processing of your order.
Upon dispatch of your order, you will be sent a parcel tracking number by email.
Delivery anywhere in the world.
France: - Clocks: 3 days preparation work + 2 days for delivery - Total: 5 business days - Decorative objects: 1 days preparation work + 2 days for delivery - Total: 3 business days
Europe - Clocks: 3 days preparation work + 3 days for delivery - Total: 6 business days - Decorative objects: 1 day preparation work + 3 days for delivery - Total: 6 business days
Other countries - Clocks: 3 days preparation work + 3-8 days for delivery - Decorative objects: 1 days preparation work + 3-8 days for delivery
Easily pay for your purchases using our highly protected bank card system with SSL certificate and 256 bit encryption, ensuring confidentiality when any information is transferred. On a web browser, the OVH SSL certificate activates the HTTPS protocol and displays a padlock in the navigation bar. This shows that any transaction is encrypted and confidential, and that your website address has been authenticated.
You will receive—by email and a paper version—an explanatory document containing all the necessary instructions and recommendations for operating your clock. We also provide assistance over the phone to guide you through the start-up procedure. Of course, we will continue to be available—by both telephone and email—to answer any questions you may have. For calls in German or English, please make an appointment first via email, providing us with your telephone number, and the date and time you wish to contact us. Contact.
- Click on the button “add to basket” to add an object. - Once you have finished your order, click on “view contents of basket” located at the bottom of the screen or on small the “shopping trolley” icon at the top right. - click “Complete my order” or “order” - Fill in the invoicing address details, you also have the possibility to send the parcel to a different address. - Select the payment method - To confirm your order, click “order now”
By email, you will be sent: - confirmation of your order & payment - Parcel tracking information
Every purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity and an invoice
High quality certificate of authenticity printed on photo paper with text and photos providing all the information concerning your object. Detailed invoice indicating the price paid for the object.
