A fine French Empire ormolu urn mantel clock ‘aux têtes de Guerriers’, circa 1815.

Description

Gilt bronze

This mantel clock is a fine example of gilt bronze from the early 19th century. Before the French Revolution, mainly smaller workshops engaged in the manufacture of ormolu bronzes. In contrast, larger workshops with sometimes hundreds of craftsmen emerged in the early 19th century. Well-known makers such as Thomire, Galle and Ravrio headed these workshops. The quality of production was very high because workers could specialise in a small part of the process. The theme of this clock clearly has to do with the army, glory and victory as can be derived from the helmeted heads, laurel wreath and oak leaf. This is not at all surprising as France in the early 19th century had a large and successful army led by Napoleon Bonaparte that people were proud of. Classical symbolism was also characteristic of the upper class who greatly admired the art and architecture of the Greeks and Romans.

Enamel chapter ring

The 9.5-cm diameter enamel chapter ring has Roman numerals and blued Breguet hands. The gilt centre is decorated with an guilloche engraving.

Anchor escapement

The movement is driven by two spring barrels and has a duration of at least eight days. It is regulated by anchor escapement in combination with a silk suspended pendulum. The clock has half-hour striking on a bell by means of a countwheel.

Classical ornaments

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The movement is mounted in a urn-shaped ormolu case. The upper part of this urn can be used as a ‘parfum brulée’ because of the lid with acanthus-shaped perforations. The front of the urn is decorated with classical ornaments. The slender handles are crowned by warrior heads with feathered helmets giving the clock its title ‘aux têtes de guerriers.’ The annular base stands on a square stepped base and has a mount of a sword wrapped with laurel leaves at the front. The whole stands on flat round feet.