Empire gilt bronze mantel clock “L’épinettiste”

This refined and rare gilt bronze Empire mantel clock “L’épinettiste” depicts the seated figure of a young lady, wearing a classical dress, focused on playing a spinet. Its enamel dial with gilt bronze openwork fleur-de-lys hands is signed “Jollage Paris”. According to Tardy, Jollage was active as clock maker in the rue Vide-Gousset in Paris since 1806. Later he moved to rue Richelieu and finally to rue Lepelletier.


One of the attractive features of this clock is the harmonious three layered design. First we see on top the beautifully sculpted young lady playing a spinet. This idyllic scene is placed on a platform below which we see the straight housing for the clockwork with slanted corners. It is applied with stars around the dial and flanked by two mighty eagle figures resting on orbs. Finally the third and bottom layer is formed by the rectangular base with a wide relief frieze with a scene of young lovers in a rustic landscape.


The movement with anchor escapement and thread suspension strikes the hours and half hours on a bell. It has a white enamel dial signed “Jollage Paris”, and early 19th century gilt bronze openwork fleur-de-lys hands.


This Empire clock is in an excellent state of preservation with original mercury gilding and matte and glossy details. Also it is in perfect working condition and it has been cleaned and serviced by a professional clock maker. The clock comes complete with its pendulum, key and bell.


Paris, circa 1810.

Dimensions: height 39 cm, width 26 cm, depth 13 cm.


Literature
- Elke Niehüser, “French Bronze Clocks”, 1997, p.219 #488.
- Tardy, “Dictionnaire des horlogers français”, p. 331.