Louis XVI Clock of Vénus and Cupid, France, 1780s

Details

Description

A Louis XVI period mantel clock in white marble and finely chiseled and gilded bronze, featuring an elegant allegorical composition … Read more A Louis XVI period mantel clock in white marble and finely chiseled and gilded bronze, featuring an elegant allegorical composition dedicated to Venus and Love (Aphrodite and Cupid/Eros, in Greek). The upper section is adorned with a gilt bronze group depicting Venus seated, accompanied by Cupid, the goddess holding a dove in her right hand. The scene is set within a white marble structure richly decorated with gilt bronzes. The circular white enamel dial indicates the hours in Roman numerals, the minutes and the date of the month from 1 to 31, indicated by a long central hand. The case is adorned with garlands of flowers, rosettes, foliage, pearl friezes, and knotted ribbons. Beneath the dial, a gilt-bronze bas-relief depicts a scene of putti in a landscape, reinforcing the overall elegant character. The slightly curved, stepped base rests on six gilt-bronze toupie feet. with its high-quality chiseling, rich decoration and mythological iconography, this clock is a fine example of the great Parisian productions of the end of Louis XVI’s reign.

Circa: 1780 Provenance : Château de Peyraud, France See less