Clock Of The Marshals Of France Of The First Empire

Exceptional clock reserved for the marshals of France of the first empire, model with some differences made in fifteen copies. Supported by six spinning top feet decorated with knurled friezes placed on a quadrangular plinth in veined green marble with six wafer feet. Enamel dial signed "Gabriel Le Roy- Rue du Temple vis-à-vis les Bains", on which rest on either side, ribboned cornucopias pouring out ears of wheat, vine branches, grapes and other fruits. Both sides with imperial eagles with outstretched wings holding in their talons the spindle of Jupiter without the thunderbolts as on the flag eagle model 1804 by Thomire. The damping is formed in its center by a medallion, with fine friezes, draped and surmounted by laurels, on which stands out the profile of Minerva helmeted, overhanging a ribboned laurel crown and oak leaves on its sides. To his left, a superb winged female figure with puffy cheeks, her hair tied back in a bun and dressed "in the antique style", who holds a laurel wreath in her right hand and a straight tubicine with a large fagnon in the other hand - an allegorical figure of Fame receiving the laurels of victory. To the right of the composition, we find a draped winged angel (called Love) holding a laurel branch in his right hand and an octagonal shield with a Medusa head in his left hand, placed on a retiarius on which are placed armor, a sword, etc. The exceptional quality of its chasing and gilding (in three golds) allow this clock to be included among the most elaborate Parisian clock creations of the Empire period. The iconography dedicated to Napoleonic military victories is closely linked to the Emperor's desire to widely disseminate the idea of a Great Army whose unwavering bravery can only lead to victory. The quality of the treatment of the faces of the characters, particularly that of Fame and the ornamental details, is indicative of a Parisian bronze chaser of the highest order such as Pierre-Philippe Thomire. A few of these clocks, true works of art, still exist today; they can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Our clock is perfect, with its original gilding; it has simply been cleaned. See also the Musée du Grand Curtius in Liège, an identical clock called the "Austerliz" clock by Thomire offered by Napoleon to Marshal Soult.