Ref.13949
Paul SOYER, Bronze, Gilded Bronze and Enameled Clock, circa 1860

This mantel clock is made in bronze and highly decorated with enamels painted in “grisaille”. Two patinas of bronze bring life and color to the frame, which - as was regularly the case for mid 19th century mantel clocks - is built like a miniature architectural Renaissance structure. The body has a square base, with columns on every corner that rise to composite order capitals, with a mixture of styles that is characteristic of 19th century art. The columns are linked together by gilded bronze round arches populated by Chimaera, mythological creatures. Above, the gilded bronzes are adorned with dark bronze ram heads, a motif borrowed from Antiquity and very popular in the 19th century, especially for furniture and decorative bronze pieces. Enamel is everywhere, painted in grisaille and enhanced with gold, displaying a lush decor of foliage, grotesques and curlicue. Below the clock face, two tapered putti flank a vase brimming with fruit. The sides are adorned with full length portraits of a gentleman and a lady. The man is dressed in the style of the characters in Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, painted in 1642. The lady plays a mandolin, which was imported to France from Italy in the 15th century. The Musée d’Orsay in Paris has recently acquired from Paul Soyer’s descendants an almost identical mantel clock to the one presented here. (OAO 1787) According to museum sources, this clock was presented at the World’s Fair in Philadelphia in 1876. Born in the Seine-et-Marne region, Paul Soyer began his carreer as a chisel artist, in Paris, in the 1850’s. He progressively learned the art of enameling and opened his own studio in 1861, rue Mauconseil between the Halles and Bonne-Nouvelle neighborhoods. He collaborated with well know artists like Claudius Popelin, Charles Duron and Gustace Baugrand. Working with the latter, he was awarded a bronze medal at the World’s fair in 1867. He then opened a larger workshop Rue Saint Sauveur and specialized in different enamel techniques with a preference for painted enamels. His very varied production, went from small pieces for jewellery, enameled objects for goldsmiths, plates for cabinet makers, to large portraits. A follower of Popelin, he remained faithful to the art of the late Renaissance, with a preference for a polychrome enamel technique, which associated grisaille and gold camaïeu. He participated in all the French and Foreign World’s Fairs, to the Union Centrale de Beaux-Arts appliqués à l’Industrie exhibits. Often rewarded, particularly with a gold medal in 1878, he was considered beyond competition and member of the jury in 1889, when he received the Légion d’Honneur.

Ref.03222
Exceptional large clock with the Fô dogs

Brown patina bronze, the base in Red Griotte marble. This magnificent clock was made in France around 1880 out of authentically Chinese bronzes. Two large Foo Dogs, made in China at the start of the 19th century, stand on their hind legs, and support the pendulum with their forelimbs. The pendulum mechanism sits inside a Chinese bronze vase that was specifically cut at its base and reused to make up the body of this clock. It is decorated all over its surface with engraved ornaments. Two dragons carved in relief are placed on the front of this vase and surround the clock's dial. On the back, there is a cockerel with its wings spread, with its head carved in relief. The extremely high quality bronze and the very skilful use of composition makes this clock very original. This clock is typical of a technique that was popular towards the end of the 19th century, which derived from a profound taste in the Far East. This technique involved reusing authentically Chinese elements on European designed objects, which were intended to be used on the most luxurious interiors. The clock's magnificence makes us reflect on the fact that it was made by a true amateur of Chinese Art. The dial's numerals are made out of enamel and are true Chinese numerals. The clock hands feature a dragon which is the result of excellent chiselling skill. These different elements are of French craftsmanship, as is the pendulum featuring an animal with tentacles. The pendulum is signed “ L.M et Cie, Médaille de bronze” (L.M and Cie, Bronze Medal), which confirms that it is off French craftsmanship and was made around 1880.

Ref.10564
Porcelain and gilded bronze clock set with griffin

Clock set consisting of five pieces, a clock and two pairs of cassolettes, made in gilded bronze and porcelain in the 19th century. Two winged griffins adorn the upper part of the clock, while the protomes of griffins are found on the handles of the cassolettes. The syncretism of various stylistic influences is characteristic of the Napoleon III style.

Ref.14605
Large Napoleon III period trumeau with carved wood and stucco shell

Large Regency style overmantel with carved shell in wood and painted stucco.