Charles X clock. France, c. 1830

Charles X clock. France, c. 1830
Mercury gilt bronze, patinated bronze. Hand-painted porcelain dial, enameled.
With pendulum suspension on silk thread.
Signed "Modemann" on the dial; signed "Modemann" and "Honoré Pons" on the movement.
Preserves pendulum and key
Presents faults in the marble and in the back
Measurements: 66 x 42 x 17 cm.

Table clock made in gilded and patinated bronze and marble of the XIX century. The piece has been conceived through a sculptural concept characteristic of this time. It consists of a base with sharp edges, reflecting the taste for clean volumes typical of the aesthetics of the time. The upper part of the base is made of green marble that stands out with the gilded bronze details that structure the lower part. On the base is the clock case that serves as a support for the figure of the Goddess Diana carrying her bow while looking at a dog. The dial, in gilded bronze, has breguet hands and Roman numerals. This type of scenes were very common in the decoration of table clocks, often depicting mythical or religious characters, linked to a historicist sense and aesthetics.

Elaborated with great detail 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.