Pendulum "the Astronomy Lesson" In Gilt Bronze Empire Period Early XIXth

Pendulum "The astronomy lesson" in gilded bronze after a drawing by *Jean André Reiche Empire period early 19th century. Pendulum representing two young women dressed in the antique style seated on either side of a draped table ending in claw feet, on which rests an armillary sphere. The two young women are seated on two luxurious gondola armchairs richly carved with floral foliage and an Apollo mascaron on the back of the backrests. The young woman on the left is studying a celestial map placed on the table, helped by the one on the right, a book in her hand, her gaze fixed on the map. Rectangular base decorated with scientific attributes held by finely chiseled cherubs in the center, a terrestrial globe on the left and an astronomy telescope on the right. The sides are decorated with palmettes in frames of delicately chiseled water flowers, it ends with six small bell-shaped feet. White enamel dial signed "Prevost Frères à Toulouse" indicating the hours in Roman numerals and the days in Arabic numerals. Movement with dates and original wire suspension working with its key. Mercury gilding with double patina of remarkable original quality in very good condition cleaned by our workshop (slight wear to the plate) Jean-André Reiche (1752-1817) is one of the most important Parisian bronziers of the Empire period . Originally from Leipzig, in June 1785 he moved to Paris under the reign of Louis XVI and became Master Foundry in June 1785. He moved his workshop to rue Notre-Dame de Nazareth and immediately enjoyed great notoriety. He appears under the Empire in the section of bronze merchants, the archives attest to a close collaboration with his colleague Claude Galle who will produce some of his models. Jean-André Reiche was the custodian of the model "La Liseuse" which he registered at the Imperial Library on February 19, 1805. Comparative bibliography: P. Kjellberg, "Encyclopedia of the French Clock from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century", Editions de the Amateur, 1997, p. 398, fig. DH Ottomeyer P. Pröschel et. al., "Vergoldete Bronzen", Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 374, fig. 5.15.2. G. Wannenes, "The most beautiful French clocks from Louis XIV to the Empire", Edizioni Polistampa, 2013, Florence, p. 339.i