90th Auction

2014/11/15

Lot 400

Japy, Movement No. 3533, Height 490 mm, circa 1810
A decorative Empire ormolu chariot clock with half hour strike "Chariot of Love"
Case: bronze, firegilt; the figure of Cupid in a two-horse biga decorated with a dragon. The enamel chapter ring forms the wheel, the spokes are open-worked for showing the skeletonized movement. Rectangular base on four ornamented disc feet with relief scene: Apollo, god of the sun, is following Mercury through the sky in a carriage drawn by four horses, while he looks back at a Muse. Dial: enamel chapter ring, radial Roman numerals, Breguet hands. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, signed, 2 barrels, 1 hammer / 1 bell, 8 day-movement, count wheel, short pendulum.
A nearly identical mantel clock is described and illustrated in "Die Französische Bronzeuhr" by Elke Niehüser, Munich 1997, p 103.
"The sun god Apollo/Helios drives across the sky, whirling the clouds with his speed. Like a thriumphal procession he is lead by a winged genius carrying a basket filled to the brim and by Mercury, messenger of the gods. Following him are the muse of history surrounded by the attributes of her sisters and a putto holding the laurel wreath. Thus Apollo is presenting himself as "Musagetes" - leader of the Muses. Possibly the duplicate triumphal motif symbolizes the rivalry between the two gods, where the gentle boy Cupid finally triumphs over the powerful god".
Source: Elke Niehueser, "Die Französische Bronzeuhr", Munich 1997, p. 103

Sold

estimated
14.00016.000 €
Price realized
15.500 €