Cella Antiques

Description

Fine French Empire period gilt bronze ormolu clock depicting an allegory of love and time signed Diot & Gobay à Paris. Often referred to as 'Cupid Carrying Time', or 'Amore Flees with Time' it is reputed to be after a design by Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843). Superbly sculpted dynamic pose of Cupid with fluttering robes housing the 8 day silk suspension movement on his wings accompanied by a butterfly that forms the pendulumn bob. White enamelled dial signed by Diot the horolger and Gobay the bronzier with beautiful Breguet style hands. The figure standing on a rectangular plinth, mounted at the front with a ribbon-tied floral and foliate swag, supported on bun feet. Beautiful example, well cast and chiselled with both matt and burnished gilt bronze finishes. France, circa 1815. For other examples see Elke Niehüser, 'French Bronze Clocks', page 230 and in the series of Tardy books 'La Pendule Française' part 2, page 431.

H 42.5cm x W 22cm x D 11cm