AN IMPORTANT DIRECTOIRE PERIOD CLOCK IN THE RETURN FROM EGYPT STYLE

Majestic Directoire period clock in white and black marble adorned with gilt and patinated bronzes. In the "Return from Egypt" style, it is composed of two bollards decorated with vestal caryatids in sheath surrounded by flowering urns. They are surmounted by two patinated winged sphinxes. These two parts are joined by the circular white enamelled dial protected by a glass showing the hours in Roman numerals and two gilt bronze hands. It is surmounted by an eagle with spread wings and a garland of flowers. Underneath is a drape and a palmette. The pendulum is decorated with a radiating cherub. The whole rests on a black marble base with four small feet decorated with bronze bas-reliefs representing children playing. This clock is signed on the dial "Chopin à Paris", watchmaker listed in the Tardy, dictionary of watchmakers.

This clock shows the skills of the bronze artists under the Directoire, inspired by the orientalist influences brought back from Napoleon Bonaparte's Egyptian campaign.
If you want to know more about the "Return from Egypt" style, read our blog post on the Directoire style here.

Dimension of base: 48,5 cm x 11,5 cm
Directoire period, Circa: 1790
Dim: L: 48,5cm, P: 13cm, H: 63,5cm.
Dim: W: 19,1in, D: 5,1in, H: 25in.
Condition report: In good condition. Small enamel chip at dial. The movement has been cleaned, serviced and is in working order.