A French Empire ormolu pendule

The model of this mantel clock was inspired by Percier's design for the bedroom of Josephine de Bauharnais. The timepiece is signed: Modemann á Paris and stamped Medaille d`or, Pons 1827. The casting is very fine in detail, with the original fire gilding. The red marble instead of dark patinated bronze makes this pendulum a richer version. The beautiful contrast of red with gold gives the mantel clock a very chic look.

The clock represents the tragic love story of Hero and Leander from Greek mythology. This after a painting by Pierre-Claude-François Delorme, which was presented at the Salon in 1814.
Leander had fallen in love with Hero, a handsome priestess of Aphrodite, at a religious festival. Leander lived on the Asian side of the Hellespont and Hero on the European side. Every night Leander swam across the straits to visit his beloved. During a stormy night, the torch on the little tower of her house, which Hero always lit to show her lover the way in the dark, went out. As a result, Leander did not find the shore and drowned. When Hero found Leander's body on the shore at the foot of the tower the next morning, she was devoured by grief and she threw herself into the sea and drowned.

In original condition.

Frankrijk, 1828

Literature: Pendules du Mobilier National, 1800-1870 door Marie-France Dupuy-Baylet, page 176, photo 88.