Fire-gilded Empire-style bronze pendulum mantel clock with automaton, Cupid, c. 1820
Key facts
- Country of manufacture
- France
- Production time
- around 1820
Description
A very delicate, fire-gilt Empire-style bronze pendulum clock ‘Catch Me If You Can’ with a butterfly automaton, circa 1820 A truly exceptional and charming design. The case, divided by several surrounding mouldings (acanthus leaves and palmettes), rests on four square feet. The movement is set in the centre; below it is a fitting framed by an acanthus leaf moulding featuring a bust of Helios, with a rose blossom in each spandrel; whilst perched on top is a small, winged Cupid attempting to catch the butterfly flying over a rose petal (the butterfly is connected to the anchor shaft via a linkage and moves back and forth asynchronously with the pendulum); to the left of this is a torch set within a laurel wreath. The original fire-gilding (matt and polished) and the original bluing are in good to very good condition; the bow has been replaced at a later date to match the original. The functioning movement, featuring a pendulum suspended by a thread, an anchor escapement and a lock-disc striking mechanism (full and half hours), has been expertly overhauled and adjusted; the power reserve is approximately 8 days, and this is unmarked. The fire-gilded dial with Roman numerals is inscribed with ‘Pescher a Poitiers’. Dimensions: Height: 42 cm Width: 18 cm Depth: 10 cm A matching pendulum and a key are included in the offer. The last image is for size comparison only.