90th Auction
2014/11/15
Lot 402
Jean Denière à Paris, Movement No. 2945, Height 380 mm, circa 1845
A high quality French mantel clock with half hour strike "The Seduction of Europa"
Case: bronze, firegilt, rectangular marble base with gilt bronze applications; in the middle sits the figure of the bull, made of patinated bronze. On its back the animal carries the drum shaped clock with a figure of Europa as bacchante with hooves. To her left is Zeus in the form of an eagle with a thyrsos. Dial: enamel, radial Arabic hours, decorated, engine-turned bezel, firegilt, pierced Louis XV-hands. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, signed, 2 barrels, 1 hammer / 1 bell, anchor escapement, short pendulum.
Jean-François Denière (1774 - 1866)
Jean-François Denière’s work is first recorded in the late 18th century when he worked with François-Thomas Matelin at 58 rue de Turenne. During the time of the Empire and after the return of the Bourbons to the throne Denière received many important orders even from the royal families. His work was highly sought-after and he was awarded at least one gold medal. During the July Monarchy Denière’s workshop was the largest and most important workshop in Paris - in 1839 he employed a staff of over 400 workers. He is, like Thomire, considered to be one of the finest bronze artists of his time.
Jean-François Denière, known primarily as a bronze maker, supplied clocks and candelabra for the French palaces, most notably Versailles and the Grand Trianon. - See more at: http://www.frick.org/exhibitions/clocks/deniere#sthash.l06VDsen.dpuf
"The Seduction of Europa"
"The Abduction of Europa was a popular theme in the 18th century and was often depicted in the fine arts. The portrayal of the liaison between a powerful beast and a graceful maiden was traditionally used for small sculptures, with bronze versions since the Renaissance period and even more abundantly with porcelain sculptures during Rococo. (...)
The sensuous Rococo period chose for itself the most erotic interpretation of the ancient myths – Europa (...) is by no means the victim of a brutal abduction - the abduction of Europa turns into the seduction of Europa. At the end of the story the bull, flanked by nereids and tritones, carries the maiden across the ocean to the shores of Crete in a triumphal procession."
Lit.: "Die Franzoesische Bronzeuhr" by Elke Niehueser, Munich 1997, page 34f.
A high quality French mantel clock with half hour strike "The Seduction of Europa"
Case: bronze, firegilt, rectangular marble base with gilt bronze applications; in the middle sits the figure of the bull, made of patinated bronze. On its back the animal carries the drum shaped clock with a figure of Europa as bacchante with hooves. To her left is Zeus in the form of an eagle with a thyrsos. Dial: enamel, radial Arabic hours, decorated, engine-turned bezel, firegilt, pierced Louis XV-hands. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, signed, 2 barrels, 1 hammer / 1 bell, anchor escapement, short pendulum.
Jean-François Denière (1774 - 1866)
Jean-François Denière’s work is first recorded in the late 18th century when he worked with François-Thomas Matelin at 58 rue de Turenne. During the time of the Empire and after the return of the Bourbons to the throne Denière received many important orders even from the royal families. His work was highly sought-after and he was awarded at least one gold medal. During the July Monarchy Denière’s workshop was the largest and most important workshop in Paris - in 1839 he employed a staff of over 400 workers. He is, like Thomire, considered to be one of the finest bronze artists of his time.
Jean-François Denière, known primarily as a bronze maker, supplied clocks and candelabra for the French palaces, most notably Versailles and the Grand Trianon. - See more at: http://www.frick.org/exhibitions/clocks/deniere#sthash.l06VDsen.dpuf
"The Seduction of Europa"
"The Abduction of Europa was a popular theme in the 18th century and was often depicted in the fine arts. The portrayal of the liaison between a powerful beast and a graceful maiden was traditionally used for small sculptures, with bronze versions since the Renaissance period and even more abundantly with porcelain sculptures during Rococo. (...)
The sensuous Rococo period chose for itself the most erotic interpretation of the ancient myths – Europa (...) is by no means the victim of a brutal abduction - the abduction of Europa turns into the seduction of Europa. At the end of the story the bull, flanked by nereids and tritones, carries the maiden across the ocean to the shores of Crete in a triumphal procession."
Lit.: "Die Franzoesische Bronzeuhr" by Elke Niehueser, Munich 1997, page 34f.
Sold
estimated
4.500—7.000 €
Price realized
9.100 €