An Empire period gilt and patinated bronze clock depicting a porter with a bale of cotton on his back, which serves as the clock's mechanism. The bare-chested figure, with glass eyes, wearing trousers and a hat, is shown walking, leaning on a stick and holding a letter in his other hand. The whole rests on a faceted base adorned with a monkey swinging on a rope attached to two palm branches. On either side of this scene, woven baskets, suspended by knots, hold two birds of paradise.
The case was made based on a design by Jean-André Reiche (1752-1817), one of the leading Parisian bronze casters of the Empire period. This clock reflects the era's fascination with the exotic in general. While at the beginning of the 18th century this fascination was still focused on the Far East, at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries it centered primarily on Africa and the Americas.
Condition report : good overall condition, chip to the enamel of the dial at the key; mechanism serviced.
Delivery
Europe: €200
US/Canada/HK: €350
Rest of the world: Price upon request
- Reference :
- 3654
- Width :
- 26 (cm)
- Height :
- 37 (cm)
- Depth :
- 10 (cm)
- Era:
- 19th century
- Style:
- Empire
- Materials:
- gilded bronze, patinated bronze
