Andre-Antoine RAVRIO : Superb signed Empire period clock.

Magnificent clock in gilt bronze and brown patina very finely chiseled by one of the greatest bronze artists of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century: Andre-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814).
This clock, known as the "maternity clock", probably shows Aphrodite (Venus) breastfeeding Aeneas, son of Anchises, with whom the goddess was, following a spell from Jupiter, infatuated.
The dog, of an exceptional chiseling, comes to lean on the broad stool to the Etruscan bordered of a passementerie in crosses finished by pompons.

This model by Ravrio could have been created, as some say, to celebrate the birth of the King of Rome, son of the Emperor Napoleon in 1811. In fact, the master bronzemaker made this model of clock at the very end of the 18th century, during the Directory, and produced it during the Consulate and the Empire. Nevertheless, if we consult André-Antoine Ravrio's account books, which allow us to follow his activity over a period of twenty years (archives purchased by the National Archives in 1985, which can be easily consulted), we find a reference to a clock symbolizing maternity, offered to the Emperor in April 1811. Probably as a gift for the birth of the future King of Rome.
It should be remembered that the Emperor was one of André-Antoine Ravrio's most important clients.

This magnificent clock, signed Ravrio bronzier in Paris, is also signed by the no less famous watchmaker Mesnil.
Throughout his career and for the vast majority of his clocks, Ravrio worked with Claude II du grand Mesnil. This collaboration lasted for some twenty years.

Superb state of preservation.
Beautiful original gilding.
Movement revised by an art watchmaker.

Empire period.

André-Antoine RAVRIO (1759-1814) :
One of the most illustrious manufacturers of art bronze of the late 18th and 1st Empire. André Antoine Ravrio was awarded the title of master founder in 1777 and set up his own business in 1790. He ran an important establishment during the Empire. Ravrio supplied furniture bronzes for the imperial palaces and for a prestigious clientele (Emperor Napoleon, Prince Murat, Louis Bonaparte, etc.).

What is less known about this exceptional master bronze worker was that he was gifted with a talent for writing. He composed many poems and was the author of some vaudevilles. He was a member of many literary and charitable societies. He was also the creator of a prize of 3,000 francs to allow the discovery of a preventive means to fight against the dangers of the use of mercury in the exercise of the profession of gilder on metals.

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Ref: 5BPTLMUHIE