A fine French Empire ormolu figural mantel clock Hercules Gentilhomme, Paris, early 19 th century The eight-day circular two train countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by a disc bob pendulum with silk suspension, the circular white enamel Roman numeral dial signed Gentilhomme, Palais Royal a Paris to centre and with steel moon hands within a fine milled gilt bezel, the case cast as the bearded Hercules standing draped in the Nemean lion skin resting his right hand on a substantial wooden club and supporting his left elbow on a tree stump housing the movement and dial whilst holding forward the golden apple of the Hesperides, The plinth base applied with mount cast as a trophy incorporating mask centred lion skin, bow and quiver flanked by canted angles decorated with snake entwined arrows and with laurel wreaths to sides, the lower edge with simple gilt skirt over substantial cast lions paw feet, 48cm (19ins) high. Gentilhomme is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in Paris circa 1810/25 whilst Tardy in DICTIONBAIRE DES HORLOGERS FRANCAIS lists them as working from Galerie de Pierre circa 1810-20. An almost identical clock can be seen in Niehuser, Elke French Bronze clocks on page 64 and a similar model in Ottomeyer, Hans and Peter Proschel, Peter Vergoldete Bronzen on page399.
A fine French Empire ormolu figural mantel clock Hercules Gentilhomme, Paris, early 19 th century The eight-day circular two train countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by a disc bob pendulum with silk suspension, the circular white enamel Roman numeral dial signed Gentilhomme, Palais Royal a Paris to centre and with steel moon hands within a fine milled gilt bezel, the case cast as the bearded Hercules standing draped in the Nemean lion skin resting his right hand on a substantial wooden club and supporting his left elbow on a tree stump housing the movement and dial whilst holding forward the golden apple of the Hesperides, The plinth base applied with mount cast as a trophy incorporating mask centred lion skin, bow and quiver flanked by canted angles decorated with snake entwined arrows and with laurel wreaths to sides, the lower edge with simple gilt skirt over substantial cast lions paw feet, 48cm (19ins) high. Gentilhomme is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in Paris circa 1810/25 whilst Tardy in DICTIONBAIRE DES HORLOGERS FRANCAIS lists them as working from Galerie de Pierre circa 1810-20. An almost identical clock can be seen in Niehuser, Elke French Bronze clocks on page 64 and a similar model in Ottomeyer, Hans and Peter Proschel, Peter Vergoldete Bronzen on page399.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
