Allegory of the Theater Clock, Paris, Louis XVI Period

Portico clock in white Carrara marble and mercury-gilt bronze.
Portico model decorated with two gilt bronze caryatids, the one on the right holding a mask and a puppet symbolizing comedy, the one on the left preparing to stab itself, symbolizing tragedy.
At their feet are the attributes of the arts: music (tambourine, lute, trumpet) and writing (books).
White marble base decorated with interlacing friezes and pearls resting on spinning top feet.

Exceptional quality mercury gilding with a dual matte and glossy patina.

The white enameled dial indicates the hours and minutes with two gilt hands, and two blued steel lace hands indicate the days of the week and the days of the month.

It is signed "Cellier Paris"*.

Original date movement; Silk thread suspension, perfect working order (serviced by our clockmaker)

The springs are dated 1788.

Very well preserved; the marble dome has been restored.

Parisian work, Louis XVI period, circa 1788.

Height: 55 cm; Width: 37 cm; Depth: 15 cm

*CELLIER Frères Horlogers, clockmakers active in Paris at the end of the 18th century.
In 1806, in partnership with MESTRAL and SCHEFFER, the Cellier brothers employed 60 workers, but no homeworkers. Their factory was asked to exhibit their products at the competition organized by the Emperor in Paris in May 1807, and they agreed after initially declining this honor.

Our opinion:

Our clock is a rare model from the end of the reign of Louis XVI. It features a typical decoration of this period, with allegories of comedy and tragedy.
Queen Marie Antoinette was a great fan of comedy, which is why she ordered the construction of a theater at Trianon. Named the Queen's Theater, it was built in the 1780s under the orders of Richard Mique.
The performances given at Versailles toured the world, and theater became fashionable. By the end of the 18th century, paintings, sculptures, and textiles alluded to the allegories of this art form.
The carving and gilding of our example are worthy of the greatest bronze makers of the reign of Louis XVI.