Empire-style Bacchus and Dionysus bronze mantel clock, fire-gilded, Paris, c. 1810
Key facts
- Production time
- 1810
- Country of manufacture
- France
Description
The case is supported by four ball-and-spur feet, upon which rests the angular plinth, depicting a Bacchante with an amphora, alongside vines and a wine press; above which, in the centre, is mounted the clockwork mechanism, upon which the young Bacchus sits; to the right of him is a vine with a rake. The matt-gilded areas are in good condition; the polished gilding is worn (see photographs); Bacchus’s cup was presumably added at a later date. The case was completely dismantled, all individual parts carefully cleaned and subsequently reassembled. The movement, featuring a thread suspension and hook escapement, was fully overhauled and readjusted by a master watchmaker (all parts derusted, pivots polished, worn bearings replaced, the anchor reground and polished, the escapement readjusted, springs checked for cracks and replaced where necessary, expertly oiled with special lubricants), it runs for approximately 14 days and strikes the half-hours and full hours on a bell. The bronze-cast dial is also fire-gilded; the numerals are painted on (faded) Dimensions: Height: 38 cm Width: 26 cm Depth: 11 cm