Large Napoleon III bronze pendulum mantel clock featuring a Bacchante and an angel, by Christophle, Paris
Key facts
- Country of manufacture
- France
Description
The casing is supported by two elaborately carved grotesque feet; two intricately decorated bronze mouldings divide the marble plinth, upon which stands the group of figures comprising a drinking youth (the shell is missing) and a Bacchante embracing him. The base has been completely dismantled; all individual parts have been carefully cleaned and subsequently reassembled. The burnishing is slightly worn in places; the fire-gilding is undamaged apart from a few spots on the feet; the marble is undamaged on the front (with slight chips at the corners); only the right-hand side was retouched at some point in the past (see photographs). The movement (originally with a thread suspension) and hook escapement has been 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 about 14 days and strikes the half and full hours on a bell, this is marked: Christophle a Paris and Duillon a St. Nicolas (Saint Nicolas d’Aliermont) The bronze-cast dial with Roman enamel cartouches is undamaged apart from a small chip at the 8 o’clock position (the glazed bezel is screwed in). Dimensions: Height 60cm Width: 43 cm Depth: 18 cm The clock can be delivered in person on request; otherwise, collection in person only (due to its extremely delicate construction).