Louis Philippe clock with harness. France, c. 1840

Louis Philippe clock with harness. France, c. 1840
Gilt bronze. Dial numerals in hand-painted porcelain, enameled.
With pendulum suspension in silk thread.
Signed on the bronze: "Thomire et Cie", signed on the machinery: "De la Combe / Horloger / à Paris".
Preserves pendulum and key
Presents faults in the porcelain.
Measurements: 70 x 36 x 36 cm; 60 x 42 x 25 cm (watch)

Gilded bronze garniture composed of two six-light candelabra and a table clock made by Pierre-Philippe Thomire and his workshop, characterized by a meticulous and detailed work of bronze with exuberant decorations. The ensemble is ornate and symmetrical, with allegorical motifs and details evocative of the late Rococo or early Neoclassical style, both popular during Thomire's heyday in Napoleonic France. The central clock features a sculptural figure, probably mythological, on a pedestal decorated with cherubs and floral patterns that are characteristic of the fancy decorations of the period. The candelabra on either side feature similar elements, with stylized figures and scrolls, symbolizing the sophistication and elegance that Thomire brought to his designs.

Thomire was instrumental in popularizing gilt bronze as a decorative element in interior design and luxury objects. His style, full of mythological and allegorical details, was a continuation and evolution of Rococo into Neoclassical and Empire styles. Working with gilt bronze, Thomire succeeded in integrating sculpture and functionality, endowing everyday objects, such as clocks and candlesticks, with a heightened artistic and symbolic quality.

This type of design influenced not only the French but also the European aristocracy, and set a standard in the manufacture of luxury objects. The gilding technique he employed, along with the ability to sculpt minute details in bronze, established an aesthetic ideal that would continue throughout the 19th century. The opulence of his works reflected the power and sophistication of the era, turning each object into a display of wealth and social status.