Louis XVI skeleton lyre clock; France, c. 1790.

Louis XVI skeleton lyre clock; France, c. 1790.

Mercury gilt bronze, enameled porcelain and marble.
It has silk thread suspension.
Preserves pendulum and key.
Measurements: 65 x 29 x 10 cm.
This 18th century French table clock is a masterpiece of watchmaking and goldsmithing, made in gilded bronze. The piece has a square marble base of dark tone, which provides stability and highlights the brightness of the gilded bronze that adorns it. The clock is designed in the shape of a lyre, a classic motif of the period, symbolizing harmony, music and balance. The lyre, frequently used in the decoration of clocks and furniture of the period, is not only a symbol of refinement and culture, but also a representation of classical art, which in the 18th century experienced a resurgence in European design.
The dial of the watch is delicately crafted, with black Arabic numerals that contrast perfectly with the white background, allowing for easy reading of the time. The numerals are arranged with a precision that reflects the technical excellence of French watchmakers of the time. The design of the watch stands out not only for its functionality, but also for its beauty and the delicacy of its ornamental details.
The top finial of the watch is a figure of great impact, a radiated mask, which evokes the image of a divinity or sunlight emanating from the face of a mythological figure. This feature is not only visually stunning, but also reflects the period's predilection for symbols of power and divinity, connecting the idea of light with the passage of time and wisdom.
The lyre shape on 18th century table clocks was especially important because it represented the ideal of neoclassical aesthetics, which valued balance and symmetry, fusing art and function. These clocks not only served to measure time, but were also considered high-status decorative pieces in the salons of the aristocracy, displaying refined culture and taste for the arts. The lyre, being a musical instrument associated with the muses and the arts, gave these clocks a symbolic character, linked to the harmony and perfection sought in all artistic expressions of the time.
This clock, like others of its style, was a symbol of distinction and sophistication, an object that not only marked the time, but was also a reflection of the values and aesthetics of the Rococo period and the beginning of neoclassicism.