Empire Clock, The Astronomy Lesson, Early 19th Century

A mercury-gilt bronze clock depicting two young women in classical dress seated in Etruscan-style armchairs on either side of a draped table with claw feet, studying a map placed before them. The whole rests on a six-legged base decorated with a trophy of scientific instruments held by two winged children: a globe, a telescope, and a surveyor's chain. Inspired by antiquity, this clock, known as "The Astronomy Lesson," shows two young women in classical attire seated in what appears to be a luxurious study. The young woman on the left is absorbed in reading a celestial map on the table, while the one on the right reads to her from an astronomy book. The circular dial with Roman numerals is located beneath the table. It is signed Ledure (Pierre Victor), bronze worker in Paris, and Hemon (Claude), clockmaker. Wind-driven mechanism. First third of the 19th century.

Wear to the gilding.

This clock is a derivative of the "the reader" clock signed by Bailly which was delivered in 1806 for the State Secretariat of the Kingdom of Italy in Fontainebleau, Mr. Aldini's room.

Given the success of this model, variations were made in the arrangement of objects and furniture, while respecting the staging and iconography.