19th Century Empire Style Mantel Clock By Galle, Rue Vivienne In Paris

This is a beautiful antique French Empire mantel clock in gilt bronze and marble. The clock is placed on a rectangular marble base, with four legs in the shape of a lion's paw. The white enamel dial signed "Galle, Rue Vivienne in Paris" has Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. This clock is uniquely beautiful in that it combines true creative artistry with conventional, classic figurine aesthetics. It is decorated with typically Empire ornaments and figurines in relief. At the top of the base, a beautifully decorated figure represents a lady in Greek dress with a lyre in her hand. The lyre is the symbol of wisdom, moderation and the god Apollo - god of the arts. The front of the watch is decorated with laurel wreaths, a symbol of honor and victory, while the side is adorned with a torch with floral motifs. The figure's hair and clothing as well as the beautiful detailing in the reliefs really show the creator's mastery of their craft. Claude Galle, the son of a French poultry farmer, rose beyond his humble roots to become an important bronze caster and gilder in the late 1700s. By 1784 Galle had enjoyed enormous success, producing stands for furniture, clocks and other gilded bronze objects for the palaces of Fontainebleau, Versailles, Saint-Cloud and Compiègne. After the French Revolution, Galle continued to produce numerous pieces for Napoleon Bonaparte, receiving an order worth over 65,000 francs for the Château de Saint-Cloud. However, as many of his clients were late in paying their bills, he went deeper and deeper into debt. He died in poverty, having been forced to close his shop. Today, his work can be found among the finest collections in the world, including the Musée National du Château de Malmaison, the Musée Marmottan in Paris, the Museo de Reloges in Jerez de la Frontera, the Residenz Munich and the Victoria and Albert Museum. in London.