Rare pendule

in chased and gilded bronze, in the form of an ovoid vase, the neck decorated with loves holding a sheaf, the body with laurel branches, military trophies and pelts, the handles with helmeted warrior heads. It features an enameled dial with Roman numeral hour markings, signed Bourdon in Lille, and stands on a square base decorated with a sword and supported by small ball feet. Based on a model by André RAVRIO, a bronze-smith active during the Empire period. See "La Pendule Française, de Louis XVI à nos jours Tardy, tome 2, page 382." H: 43.5 cm Minor wear, pierced at the back under the pendulum part. André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814), from a family of bronze and gilders, married one of François Van der Cruse's daughters, becoming the brother-in-law of cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener. He worked for the Comte d'Artois in 1774, and was one of the best gilders active under the Directoire and Empire, such as Galle and Feuchère. In 1803, he produced a phloscope for the Spanish court, then supplied Prince Murat in 1809 for the Palais de l'Elysée, as well as King Frederick of Wurtenberg. He was also one of the suppliers to the Imperial Garde-Meuble.