F. Barbedienne, Fondeur, France, 1100 mm, circa 1860

A monumental, representative bronze clock on a lavishly decorated gilt base, with half hour / hour self strike "Dancing Beauty"

Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892)
Barbedienne was a French metalworker and manufacturer, who was well known as a bronze founder.
In 1838 he went into partnership with Achille Collas (1795–1859), who had invented a method for making reductions of sculpture. By 1850 the firm was also producing a wide range of decorative objects - chandeliers, vases and furniture - in a variety of revival styles (e.g. Néo-Grec, Gothic and Louis XVI). Between 1850 and 1854 the firm provided furnishings in the Renaissance Revival style for the Hôtel de Ville, Paris. From 1851 the firm, by then known as Barbedienne, received numerous medals at the international exhibitions, including medals in three different classes at the International Exhibition of 1862 in London.