Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-0

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-1

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-2

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-3

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-4

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-5

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-6

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-7

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-8

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-9

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-10

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-11

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-12

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-13

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-14

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851-15

Style Orientalism / Ref.15032

Charles Stanislas MATIFAT, the elephant clock an oriental model presented at the Crystal Palace in 1851

Dimensions
Width 11''   28cm
Height 22'' ½  57cm
Depth: 5'' ⅛  13cm

Origin:
19th century, French

Status:
Good condition

Biography of Charles Stanislas Matifat

Regarded as one of the most prominent Parisian art founders of the mid-19th century, Charles Stanislas Matifat established his decorative bronze factory and showroom in 1820. His creations were renowned for their exceptional refinement and high quality of finish. The bronzier was celebrated for his ability to seek out new, varied, and elegant forms, devoting as much care to the execution as to the selection of his models.

Recognized for his technical expertise, he collaborated with famous sculptors such as Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux and Emmanuel Frémiet on the creation of monumental bronzes, notably for the Fontaine de l'Observatoire in Paris. His work was also highly esteemed by architect Charles Garnier, who commissioned him to cast the monumental torchères that still adorn the Opéra Garnier today.

Description of the Work

Created for the European and Ottoman-Persian markets, this clock bears the signature of Charles Stanislas Matifat and the date 1851. This specific model was showcased in the French section of the very first Universal Exhibition, held at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. Matifat’s work was particularly well-received by the jury, which awarded him a second-class medal.

The structure of the piece is defined by a pair of elephants supporting an Oriental architecture of rare complexity. The tiered composition incorporates motifs evoking Persian decorative arts, such as polylobed arches, bulbous domes, and crescents.

The exquisite finesse of the polychrome ornamentation is achieved through a glass-on-bronze enamel process invented by the founder himself. This piece stands as a testament to Matifat’s technical and aesthetic inventiveness, successfully merging exotic influences with the precision of French art casting.

For more information on this work, see the video on MarcMaison.art.