Empire style clock. France, c. 1890

Empire style clock. France, c. 1890
Gilt bronze, patinated bronze and "verde antico" marble. Hand-painted porcelain dial, enameled.
With Brocot suspension.
Signed on the machinery: "Japy Frères & Cie".
With wear and tear
Measurements. 30 x 30 x 14 cm.

The firm Japy Frères, one of the most prestigious in Europe in the late nineteenth century, founded in the middle of the century by Frédéric Guillaume, Louis Frédéric and Jean Pierre, sons of the renowned watchmaker Frédéric Japy, who had long before laid the foundations of modern watchmaking.

The bronze table clocks of the 19th century were key pieces in decoration and interior design, as well as symbols of social status and refinement. Elaborately crafted and often adorned with artistic motifs, these clocks not only served to measure time, but also reflected the technical advances and taste for fine craftsmanship of the time. Bronze, a durable and aesthetically appreciated material, allowed the creation of complex and elegant forms, integrating styles such as neoclassical or rococo, which made them highly valued objects in the residences of high society.