Louis XVI style table clock; France, c. 1850.

Louis XVI style table clock; France, c. 1850.
Gilt bronze and enameled porcelain.
Preserves key and pendulum.
It has Brocot suspension.
Signed on the inside Estivant Freres.
Measurements: 48 x 34 x 16 cm.
This is a French table clock from around 1850, made in gilded bronze with an aesthetic characteristic of the Louis XVI style, influenced by classicism and Louis XV style. The clock features rich and detailed ornamentation, with vegetal motifs and symmetrical designs on the base and sides. At the top, it has a sort of decorative vase with hanging handles, which adds an extra touch of elegance. The clock has a circular dial framed in bronze, with cobalt blue Roman numerals for the hours and an additional black numbering for the minutes, 5 by 5. The hands are ornate, with a fine and detailed design that complements the overall sophistication of the piece.
Nineteenth century bronze table clocks were key pieces in interior decoration and 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.