A fine French Empire ormolu and breccia marble figural mantel clock Homage to Josephine The movement by Marchand, the case possibly by Pierre-Philippe-Thomire, Paris, circa 1805 The circular two train bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum with silk suspension, the 5.25 inch circular white enamel Roman numeral convex dial signed Marchand, Paris to centre with concentric date-of-the-month between the hour numerals and minute ring and with Arabic five minutes to outer track, with scroll pierced and engraved gilt hour and minute hands and steel calendar hand set behind hinged convex glazed cast gilt brass bezel, the case surmounted with a seated Classical female harpist with a flaming gueridon at her feet opposing winged Amour with quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder and gesturing towards a manuscript inscribed Bouton de rose next to an X-frame table with book resting on top, the dial with elaborate draped lambrequin cast with tassels beneath flanked by stepped D-ended plinth, the upper stage panel-cast with stylised Grecian masks flanked by alternating palmette and foliate scroll decoration to ends over breakfronted marble lower stage applied with mounts cast as putto terms holding aloft floral wreaths over gilt fillet moulding, on platform base with cast bun feet, 46.5cm (18.25ins) high. The movement of the current lot is probably by Charles-Frédéric Marchand who is recorded in Tardy DICTIONNAIRES DES HORLOGERS FRANCAIS as becoming a Paris maître in 1777 and working at Rue St. Martin the following year. Pierre-Philippe-Thomire (born 1751) was one of the most important bronze casters of 18th century France, and was later granted the title Ciseleur de l Empereur (chaser to the Emperor) by Napoleon Bonaparte. Early on in his career he worked for Pierre Gouthière ciseleur-fondeur du roi, and toward the mid-1770 s began working with Louis Prieur. After the Revolution, he purchased the stock of Martin-Eloi Lignereux, thus becoming the most important suppliers of furniture bronzes for châteaux and Imperial Palaces. His prolific firm not only produced bronze ornaments, but also created mounts for furniture and porcelain, collaborating for example with the renowned manufactory of Sèvres . Thomire retired in 1827 and died in 1843. The design of the current clock was inspired by a poem entitled Bouton de rose (rosebud), by Constance-Marie de Théis, Princess de Salm-Dyck (1767-1845). Published in 1785 in the Almanach des Grâces the poem became famous during the latter part of the 18th century, when it was set to music by the composer Louis-Barthélémy Pradher (1782-1843). The popular singer Pierre-Jean Garat (1762-1823) sang it in fashionable Salons, dedicating it to the beauty of Josephine, the wife of the future Emperor Napoleon.
A fine French Empire ormolu and breccia marble figural mantel clock Homage to Josephine The movement by Marchand, the case possibly by Pierre-Philippe-Thomire, Paris, circa 1805 The circular two train bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum with silk suspension, the 5.25 inch circular white enamel Roman numeral convex dial signed Marchand, Paris to centre with concentric date-of-the-month between the hour numerals and minute ring and with Arabic five minutes to outer track, with scroll pierced and engraved gilt hour and minute hands and steel calendar hand set behind hinged convex glazed cast gilt brass bezel, the case surmounted with a seated Classical female harpist with a flaming gueridon at her feet opposing winged Amour with quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder and gesturing towards a manuscript inscribed Bouton de rose next to an X-frame table with book resting on top, the dial with elaborate draped lambrequin cast with tassels beneath flanked by stepped D-ended plinth, the upper stage panel-cast with stylised Grecian masks flanked by alternating palmette and foliate scroll decoration to ends over breakfronted marble lower stage applied with mounts cast as putto terms holding aloft floral wreaths over gilt fillet moulding, on platform base with cast bun feet, 46.5cm (18.25ins) high. The movement of the current lot is probably by Charles-Frédéric Marchand who is recorded in Tardy DICTIONNAIRES DES HORLOGERS FRANCAIS as becoming a Paris maître in 1777 and working at Rue St. Martin the following year. Pierre-Philippe-Thomire (born 1751) was one of the most important bronze casters of 18th century France, and was later granted the title Ciseleur de l Empereur (chaser to the Emperor) by Napoleon Bonaparte. Early on in his career he worked for Pierre Gouthière ciseleur-fondeur du roi, and toward the mid-1770 s began working with Louis Prieur. After the Revolution, he purchased the stock of Martin-Eloi Lignereux, thus becoming the most important suppliers of furniture bronzes for châteaux and Imperial Palaces. His prolific firm not only produced bronze ornaments, but also created mounts for furniture and porcelain, collaborating for example with the renowned manufactory of Sèvres . Thomire retired in 1827 and died in 1843. The design of the current clock was inspired by a poem entitled Bouton de rose (rosebud), by Constance-Marie de Théis, Princess de Salm-Dyck (1767-1845). Published in 1785 in the Almanach des Grâces the poem became famous during the latter part of the 18th century, when it was set to music by the composer Louis-Barthélémy Pradher (1782-1843). The popular singer Pierre-Jean Garat (1762-1823) sang it in fashionable Salons, dedicating it to the beauty of Josephine, the wife of the future Emperor Napoleon.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
