Louis Philippe clock. France, c. 1845

Louis Philippe clock. France, c. 1845
Gilt bronze, patinated bronze and Belgian black marble. Hand-painted porcelain dial, enameled.
With pendulum suspension on silk thread.
Signed "Eugène Quesnel et CIE".
Preserves pendulum and key
Presents faults in the patina and marble picks in the marble
Measurements: 49 x 30 x 24 cm.

Table clock of sculptural conception, structured in a staggered manner from a marble base with square profile and recessed front corners. On this base is the lower area, made of gilded bronze and decorated with a relief of plant motifs, followed by a cornice and, finally, the body that houses the clock face, with white finish and Roman numerals in cobalt blue. The clock is topped with the figure of a little love that seems to contemplate the hours in an anecdotal way.
Bronze table clocks 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.