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Large Clock Mythological “Eurydice and the Serpent” – Clockmaker: Cailly, circa 1840
| Materials: | Bronze doré au mercure, Bronze argenté |
|---|---|
| Era: | Louis-Philippe 1830 - 1852 |
| 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: 55 cm
Width: 39 cm
Depth: 13 cm
Description
A magnificent mythological mantel clock dating from the Louis-Philippe period, circa 1840, distinguished by the exquisite finesse of its chasing and the brilliant lustre of its mercury gilding with gold. The composition depicts an elegant nymph from classical mythology, whose sculptural grace and melancholy demeanour lend the piece a particularly expressive presence. The movement bears the signature of Cailly aîné engraved inside the movement plate. This clockmaker is listed in the Tardy Dictionary of Clockmakers under the year 1840, providing a valuable element of identification for this horological work of art.
The composition is dominated by a young woman of idealised beauty, draped in classical robes whose flowing folds are sculpted with remarkable skill and delicacy. Seated in an attitude that is both graceful and dramatic, she tilts her head towards the heavens, while her half-closed eyes and slightly parted lips appear to convey distress and surrender. A finely chased serpent coils around her ankle, an essential attribute in identifying the mythological scene as that of Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus. According to the ancient legend, Eurydice is bitten by a serpent and succumbs to her injury while fleeing from Aristaeus on her wedding day. Inconsolable, Orpheus enchants the gods with his singing and lyre, obtaining permission to descend into the Underworld in an attempt to bring his wife back among the living. The sculpture sensitively captures this tragic episode, in which feminine beauty confronts the inexorable force of fate. The figure rests upon a gilt-bronze architectural base, adorned with rich chased ornamentation and friezes inspired by the Neoclassical style. At the centre, the circular silvered-bronze dial, featuring Roman numerals, is harmoniously integrated into a finely worked ornamental surround. The front of the base is embellished with an elegant lyre motif framed by scrolling foliage, directly evoking the musical world of Orpheus. A palmette frieze and richly ornamented feet complete this composition of remarkable decorative coherence.
By virtue of its outstanding craftsmanship, sumptuous gilding and evocative subject matter, this mantel clock stands as a remarkable testament to the French decorative arts of the Restoration period. The combination of an exceptionally expressive figural sculpture and a horological structure defined by balanced lines gives the piece a character that is both monumental and refined. The serpent, the delicately sculpted drapery and the allusion to the lyre of Orpheus come together to create a poetic mythological composition that transcends its purely horological function. The signature of Cailly aîné, found on the movement plate, further enhances the historical and documentary interest of this piece. An authentic decorative object steeped in history, this clock will appeal to collectors of antique clocks, gilt-bronze objects and enthusiasts of classical mythology alike, thanks to its timeless elegance and unmistakable sculptural presence.
Original movement intact and unaltered, with silk-thread suspension. Striking on the hours and half-hours on an antique bell, producing a clear and authentic tone.
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.
