Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock in Restauration Style
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A Napoleon III gilt bronze mantel clock in Restauration style, third quarter 19th century, the dial signed 'Moinet Aime a Paris', eight day movement with silk suspension and countwheel strike to bell, the engine-turned Roman numeral dial with Breguet hands within a neo-classical case surmounted with a lyre between a classical female figure holding a butterfly and a column supporting a vase of flowers, all on a platform base with ball feet, finely cast and chased throughout, enclosed within a glass dome on ebonised stand, the clock 48 cm high, 36.5 cm wide, 13 cm deep (the dome and stand overall 55 cm high, 47 cm wide)
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- Restauration Period - The Restauration period in French history refers to the years from 1815 to 1830. It followed the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte and the end of the Napoleonic Wars. During the Restauration, the Bourbon monarchy was restored to power in France with Louis XVIII as king. This period was characterized by a conservative and reactionary political climate, as the monarchists sought to undo the liberal and republican ideals of the French Revolution. The Restauration also saw the rise of industrialization and the growth of a middle class in France.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
- Neo Classical - The period or style, known as "neo-classical", was based on Greek and Roman designs and motifs, and is usually associated with the influence of the four Adam brothers, but principally Robert Adam, the second oldest of the brothers, who were architects and designers, active in the latter half ot the 18th century (1760s to 1790s).
Born in Scotland in 1728, Robert Adam spent time in Italy studying and his designs are influenced by the finds made during the excavation of Pompei.
When he returned to England he became the Court Architect to George III (1738-1820).
In turn, designs by Adam then influenced Hepplewhite.
Neo-classical ornamentation is characterised by use of classical urns, palmettes, mythical creatures such as the sphinx and griffin, ram's heads, swags, scrolling foliage, and use of the Greek key pattern.
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