Choiselat Gallien - Flora and Zephyr - Empire period clock in gilt and patinated bronze - DLG

"Flora and Zephyr" Clock – Empire Period – Gilt and Patinated Bronze – Similar to Choiselat-Gallien
A very beautiful Empire period clock in finely chased, gilt, and patinated bronze, featuring an elegant mythological composition that can be identified as Flora and Zephyr.

Designed as a true sculpted group, the clock presents two figures in the round on either side of the movement. Flora, dressed in classical style, her breast exposed, delicately holds a flower in her hand. Facing her, Zephyr, depicted as a young winged genius, turns towards the goddess. Between the two figures, an abundant basket of flowers surmounts the dial and completes the composition.
Flora and Zephyr, a Springtime Tale

The subject originates in ancient mythology, and more specifically in the story of Chloris and Zephyr. Zephyr, the personification of the gentle west wind heralding the return of spring, falls in love with the nymph Chloris. After their union, she becomes Flora, the goddess of flowers, blossoming, and spring. The flower held by the young woman, the profusion of flowers arranged among the figures, and the presence of the young winged god thus take on their full meaning: the scene celebrates the meeting of Flora and Zephyr and, through their union, the awakening and flourishing of nature.
This poetic iconography perfectly reflects the Empire period's taste for subjects drawn from Antiquity, which Parisian bronze casters transformed into veritable sculptural compositions destined for the most refined interiors. The clock is indeed distinguished by the exceptional quality of its bronzes. The faces, hair, Zephyr's wings, Flora's drapery, and the delicate flowers are all rendered with precise casting and particularly meticulous chasing.

The use of gilt bronze combined with patinated bronze further enriches the composition. The different shades of patina and the contrasts between matte and polished surfaces give depth and relief to the group and beautifully highlight the details of the sculpture.
The enamel dial with Roman numerals is set within a richly ornamented pedestal featuring openwork scrolls, palmettes, foliage, and floral motifs. The whole rests on an architectural base decorated with a central crown, scrolls, rosettes, and a frieze of water leaves.
A particularly remarkable feature is that the decoration continues on the sides of the clock. This attention to detail in areas that are generally much more understated is relatively rare and testifies to the high level of craftsmanship sought for this piece. A work reminiscent of Choiselat-Gallien

Through its architecture, the richness of its neoclassical repertoire, the prominence given to mythological figures, and the quality of the combination of gilt and patinated bronze, this clock can be compared to the productions of the Choiselat-Gallien firm, one of the leading names in Parisian bronze work at the end of the Empire and the beginning of the Restoration. The firm continued the tradition of the great Parisian workshops that made French bronze furniture an exceptional art form. Its creations are characterized in particular by high-quality casting and chasing, a rich classical vocabulary, and compositions in which the figures occupy a truly sculptural place. In the absence of a bronzesmith's mark allowing for a definitive attribution, this comparison remains stylistic. Nevertheless, the quality of execution of this clock, the unusual richness of its decoration, and its level of finish extending to the sides place it among the finest Parisian pieces of the Empire period.
Preserved in excellent overall condition, this clock captivates as much by the poetry of its subject as by the finesse of its execution. The harmonious combination of mythology, sculpture, and horology makes it a particularly representative piece of the refinement of Parisian decorative arts in the early 19th century.

Period: Empire, early 19th century
Origin: Paris
Materials: Finely chased, gilded, and patinated bronze
Subject: Flora and Zephyr
Related: Choiselat-Gallien firm
Condition: Excellent overall condition.
Professional delivery and packaging available upon request. International shipping available.

Ref: 8UBYH2WUN4