A French Empire ormolu sculptural mantel clock, Ars Amatoria, circa 1800.

Description

Ars Amatoria

The unknowing beholder might interpret the scene as a kneeling lady that is listening to the sermon of a cleric with a Bible in front of her. But for the person with an understanding of classical culture there is another message to be read. But the lady is not reading a Bible but Ovid’s ‘Ars Amatoria’, a book on the art of love. The preaching figure is not a cleric but Cupid holding a flaming heart. It is important to know that Cupid is not just the god of love but specifically the god of physical love. Therefore we could be looking at a warning against the pursuit of physical love and instinct which was looked down upon in higher circles. It was the Neoplatonistic ideal of spiritual love and abstinence. With the highly regarded knowledge of classical art and literature the beholders could ‘read’ the message and could show their eloquence to others. It makes this beautifully made and designed mantel clock so much more interesting.

Thierry à Paris

The 6-cm diameter enamel dial has Roman numerals and is signed Thierry à Paris. The pierced and engraved hands are made of gilt brass.

The movement

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 by means of a countwheel on a bell.

Ovidius’ Ars amatoria

The clock is mounted in an ormolu case shaped like an Empire chair. On it stands the preaching Amor cloaked in a hood with a flaming heart in his hand. On the opposite side, a woman kneels in front of a reading desk with a book inscribed; l’art d’amour d’Ovid (Ars Amatoria). The group stands on a base with canted corners and a relief on the front showing Amor feeding a butterfly. The whole is taised on four toupee feet.