Louis XVI Style Clock, Called "engagement" Clock, In Gilt Bronze And Porcelain, Circa 1860

Charming neo-Louis XVI alcove or boudoir clock, known as "Fiançailles," in gilt bronze with beautifully chiseled decoration in the round of trophies evoking the Loves of Mars and Venus (Warrior and Musical Attributes), Hymen (a pair of turtledoves), adorned on its body with porcelain plaques with delicate polychrome decoration on a Celestial Blue field enhanced with gold floral motifs. White enameled dial with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. The whole rests on spinning top feet ringed with pearls. Parisian work from the second half of the 19th century.
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In Louis XVI finery, this charming alcove or boudoir clock, known as "Fiançailles," is adorned on its architectural case made of gilt bronze with beautifully chiseled ornamental motifs. Fleurons, scrolls, acanthus rosettes, interlacing flowering myrtle, a ribboned laurel torus, stylized acanthus channels and vaults highlight, punctuate, give rhythm, and envelop the curvilinearly projecting base, the dice, and the bushel of the timepiece with its petite proportions.
Furnished with leafy branches, Trophies—one martial (plumed scimitar, shield, staff shield, serpent); the other musical (lute, tambourine, pan flute, sheet music booklet) evoking, in the style of the Sentimental Pastoral, the ancient Cupids of Mars and Venus—flaunt its flanks. Similary treated in the round, a pair of turtledoves—symbolizing Hymen—frolicking with outstretched wings among clouds punctuated by a torch bearing a flaming brand—evoking the flame fanned by the god Eros—crowns its amortization.
A cheerful echo of these tender outpourings, ravishing porcelain plaques with floral motifs embellish the body of this clock with a love theme. Within white-ground reserves set with a "Celestial Blue" field enhanced with fine gold with delicate pearled stems, palmettes and florets unfurl, pouring forth in garlands, bouquets, flowering sheaves of hollyhock roses—an attribute of Venus linked to the Graces of Love—in a fresh, suave polychromy. Raised on five spinning-top feet ringed with pearls, the clock features, encircled on its bezel by a string of pearls, a white enameled dial indicating the hours and minutes in Roman and Arabic numerals by two pierced hands.
Proposed throughout the second half of the 19th century by Parisian Clockmakers, Jewelers, and Bronze Art Manufacturers, this lovely model, combining its timeless theme of formal elegance, judiciously chosen ornamental motifs, and feminine porcelain decoration, will, like Antan, be a thoughtful gift to consider for spring wedding events.