Description
Table clock. Empire. France, ca. 1810. In mercury gilt bronze. With key and pendulum. Dial signed: "Portefais a Paris". Missing the back cover of the machinery. It presents some wear in the gilding. Measurements: 52 x 37 x 13,5 cm. Period clock and Empire style, completely made in gilded bronze mercury. The sculptural theme is an allegory of Love. Eros has been characterized as an adolescent with a harmonious body. His shapely calves peek out from under a short tunic of fine fabric. With his left hand he pours water into an oil lamp and in the other he holds an arrow. The oil lamp reminds us of the dramatic moment when he is awakened by Psyche in the middle of the night, when his lover breaks her promise and he disappears from her side in spite of himself. On the frieze of the base are represented two putti balancing on a ball, flanking a trophy surrounded by vegetation. A lyre rests next to Eros. The clock face, also gilded, has beguet hands and Roman numerals.
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Table clock. Empire. France, ca. 1810. In mercury gilt bronze. With key and pendulum. Dial signed: "Portefais a Paris". Missing the back cover of the machinery. It presents some wear in the gilding. Measurements: 52 x 37 x 13,5 cm. Period clock and Empire style, completely made in gilded bronze mercury. The sculptural theme is an allegory of Love. Eros has been characterized as an adolescent with a harmonious body. His shapely calves peek out from under a short tunic of fine fabric. With his left hand he pours water into an oil lamp and in the other he holds an arrow. The oil lamp reminds us of the dramatic moment when he is awakened by Psyche in the middle of the night, when his lover breaks her promise and he disappears from her side in spite of himself. On the frieze of the base are represented two putti balancing on a ball, flanking a trophy surrounded by vegetation. A lyre rests next to Eros. The clock face, also gilded, has beguet hands and Roman numerals.
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