Empire period gilt bronze Lyre clock with a bust of Homer
Important Empire period gilt bronze regulator clock. The seven-stringed lyre-shaped clock features a laurel-crowned bust of Homer. The lower part of the finely chased gilded bronze front features a mythological scene depicting Homer and a young boy in an oval cartouche, framed on either side by attributes such as military trophies, palmettes, rais-de-coeur, tores laurés and cassolettes. The central part of the semicircular clock, with linear motifs of braids, acanthus leaves and six stars surrounded by laurel wreaths, stands on a console base with curved scrolls. The compensated-balance movement is supported at the back by a bust of the poet Homer, itself raised by two allegories, probably Justice carrying a sword and Victory holding a palm leaf. The whole rests on a plinth with four small feet adorned with rosettes and fleurons. The dial, lobed with acanthus leaves and marked "Gallien à Paris", displays the hours in Roman numerals.
Circa: 1810
Base dimensions: 28.5 cm x 12 cm (11.22 in x 4.72 in)
Overall dimensions: W: 28.5cm, D: 12cm, H: 70cm.
Overall dimensions: W: 11.2in, D: 4.7in, H: 27.6in.
Condition report: In good general condition. The mechanism has been cleaned, serviced and is in working order.
Gallien in Paris
Matthieu Gallien was a bronze manufacturer established in Paris at 93 Rue de la Verrerie in the late 18th century. In 1809, under the name "Au Maître de tout", he hired a certain Louis-Isidore Choiselat, whom he married to his eldest daughter. On the death of the master, Louis-Isidore took over the business, which became Choiselat-Gallien "Au maître de tout, fabricant de bronzes, doreur et argenteur". In 1815, he received the title of "fabricant de bronzes" from Monsieur, the King's brother, for his regular rentals of chandeliers and candelabras. In January 1816, he was awarded the title of supplier of ornaments for the king's churches and chapels. He received numerous orders from royal and noble circles for both churches and residences.
Documentation:
- KJELLBERG Pierre, Encyclopédie de la pendule française du Moyen-Age au XXe siècle, Paris, Les éditions de l'amateur, 1997.
