A FRENCH EMPIRE GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE 'HARLEQUIN' MANTEL CLOCK

A FRENCH EMPIRE GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE 'HARLEQUIN' MANTEL CLOCK

ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE PHILIPPE THOMIRE, C.1815-20

with a brass eight day drum movement striking on a bell, stamped 'Ch Vc Paris 64348' and with a circular maker's mark, the enamelled dial with black Roman hours, Arabic quarters and floral spandrels, in a case modelled as a large weight driven Comtoise clock, inscribed 'Le Point du Jour' to the door, being carried by a harlequin in a patterned suit, on a shaped base, the frieze with a central flaming heart flanked by honeysuckle flowers and foliage further flanked by butterflies, on bun feet, with pendulum and keys

33.5cm high, 25.5cm wide, 9.5cm deep

Literature

Elke Niehuser, French Bronze Clocks, 1700-1830, p.168.

Catalogue Note

The harlequin was an entertaining and popular figure in the Italian Commedia dell’arte where, with his characteristic diamond decorated outfit, was instantly and universally recognisable as a comic or troublesome character. Pierre Philippe Thomire (France, 1751-1843) trained as a sculptor but quickly changed profession to become a bronze caster, setting up his own company in 1775. Soon after, he starting working with Jean-Claude Duplessis, the artistic director of Sevres, where he eventually supplied all the gilt bronze mounts for the porcelain. 1809 saw his appointment as ciseleur de l’empereur (Engraver to the Emperor) and in 1811 as fournisseur de leurs majesties (Furniture Supplier to Their Majesties). For a related clock recently sold at auction see Christie’s, Rothschild Masterpieces, 17^th October 2023, lot 561 which fetched $37,800 (including premium).