A Empire Pendulum Said To Scientific Objects. Early 19th Circa 1805

Empire period pendulum in gilded bronze with mercury, said to the library or to scientific objects or even to astronomy or astrology depending on the reference works. The scene presents Urania, the Muse who presided over astronomy and astrology is all read in a study dedicated to the sciences. The group is made up of three distinct and separate subjects. The left part is dedicated to the celestial; this one is represented, while reading it, barefoot, dressed in a dress à la Joséphine de Beauharnais and crowned with stars. The Muse is standing, leaning on a library in the middle part. Library where are arranged, books and parchments without forgetting Homer in bust as well as a lyre and two winged griffins. On the entablature of this one are arranged various mathematical and scientific objects such as a set square, a large compass and a protractor without forgetting a crown symbolizing knowledge and philosophical collections, as well as an antique oil lamp. symbolizing light. The right part of the group is composed of a guilloche column topped with an armillary sphere in order to model the celestial sphere. . The whole group rests on a terrace made up of two levels. That of the upper part, the largest, is adorned with an architectural decoration of the Doric order, in which there are six columns on either side of a median blazing Athenian firepot. One finds on the basin of this one, the winged griffins spanking face appearing in the library. Waves of garlands escape on two levels of the colonnades, punctuated by flowers for one, musical instruments and sheet music for the other. The large dial is made up of a double domed disc, in white enamel on the periphery, in bronze with guilloché decoration in the middle. The hours are spun in black Roman numerals with decimal division, the minutes are represented by bars on the enamel. A large outline of a line of flowers surrounds the whole. Wire suspension mechanism, hour and half hour strike on an old bell. The chasing and mercury gilding of this clock are in exceptional condition, still protected by their glass globe. This one comes to be embedded on a base of wood veneered with rosewood adorned with a fine floral marquetry in boxwood; so as to protect the pendulum from moisture, dust and ill-advised hands. Wire suspension mechanism, hour and half hour strike. Balance, bell and keys are present. Dimensions, The pendulum Height 40cm, Width 32cm, Depth 13cm. The globe and its base Height 56cm, width 39cm. depth 20cm. Revised by the watchmaker of its former owner.