Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.16079
Gustave Isaac Lévy, Jollet & Cie for Escalier de Cristal, Minogame turtle clock
Dimensions
Width 15'' ⅜ 39cm
Height 33'' ½ 85cm
Depth: 7'' ⅛ 18cm
Origin:
French, 19th century
This clock is a fine example of how the craze for Japonisme, which began in the 1860s, influenced every artistic field, from painting to the decorative arts. This exclusive creation for l'Escalier de Cristal bears witness to the fascination with the Far East during the late 19th century.
This rare turtle-shaped clock was created by Gustave Isaac Lévy and Jollet & Cie. The stylized shell, adorned with cloisonné enamels, serves as the dial where a snail moves to indicate the hours, driven by the clock's internal mechanism. The decoration features cartouches with various geometric patterns and numerals in Japanese-style characters.
For this gilt bronze piece, the legend of the Minogame turtle, drawn from Japanese folklore, was adapted to suit French tastes. According to tradition, after resting at the bottom of a lake for 10,000 years, the turtle's shell becomes covered in algae that form a kind of tail, giving it the name "cape-turtle." The clock captures the moment the creature emerges from its slumber to seize a crab suspended from a branch above the water. The crab, made of gilt bronze, is rendered with striking naturalism.
Informations
Price: on request
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