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Portico Empire Clock “The Eagle and the Great Sun”, circa 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: 41 cm
Width: 20 cm
Depth: 12 cm
Description
Elegant and spectacular Empire-period portico clock, made circa 1810, this work of particularly imposing proportions displays an architecture of remarkable elegance, combining the depth of black marble with the sumptuous brilliance of finely chased and mercury-gilded bronze. Through the harmony of its architectural composition, the richness of its decoration and the exceptional quality of its craftsmanship, this clock stands as a remarkable testament to the refinement of French decorative arts under the First Empire.
The composition is organized around an imposing circular white enamel dial, surrounded by a richly mercury-gilded bronze bezel, delicately chased with vegetal friezes and geometric motifs. It is surmounted by a spectacular openwork crest composed of foliage, scrolling acanthus and a monumental radiating palmette. On either side, two powerful black marble columns, crowned with architectural capitals and gilt-bronze bobèches, majestically frame the composition. Beneath the dial stands a remarkable eagle with wings widely outstretched, the emblematic symbol of the Empire, surrounded by abundant oak foliage. Yet the most extraordinary element is undoubtedly its gigantic sun pendulum: of truly exceptional dimensions, it features at its centre a radiant face surrounded by an impressive succession of long alternating rays. A genuine decorative sculpture in its own right, this monumental sun animates the entire lower section of the clock and lends the composition a spectacular presence.
This clock is fitted with a remarkable knife-edge suspension system, a relatively uncommon technical device on traditional clocks. This particularly sophisticated construction makes it possible to support and guide with great precision a pendulum of such exceptional size and weight. The suspension blade, combined with its pivoting mechanism, ensures a regular, uniform and perfectly linear oscillation, reducing unwanted friction and thereby contributing to the stability of the movement. The presence of such a system demonstrates the particular care devoted to the mechanical design of this clock, whose impressive pendulum required a technical solution specifically adapted to its monumental dimensions.
Through its authenticity, architectural proportions and the extraordinary richness of its decoration, this clock represents a particularly captivating work from the beginning of the 19th century. The combination of deep black marble and mercury-gilded bronze creates a contrast of great elegance, while the imperial eagle and spectacular sun pendulum give it a powerful and immediately recognizable identity. Rarely does a portico clock combine monumentality, decorative refinement and mechanical sophistication with such success. A spectacular collector's piece whose sculptural beauty and imposing presence make it far more than a simple instrument for measuring time: a true work of art and architecture.
The original mechanism remains unchanged, striking the hours and half-hours on an antique bell.
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.
