Louis XVI clock with a lion motif, signed "Le Nepveu"

A Louis XVI-era clock in mercury-gilded bronze. Signed “Le Nepveu” in Paris.
This elegant clock, crafted from finely chiseled and mercury-gilded bronze, perfectly illustrates the shift in Parisian taste during the early years of Louis XVI’s reign. Its design, characterized by great architectural simplicity, is enriched by a sculpted composition that harmoniously blends references to Antiquity with the allegorical vocabulary characteristic of Neoclassicism.
The dial is supported by a striding lion, rendered with a remarkable sense of form and naturalistic observation. A symbol of power, vigilance, and courage, the lion supports Time, while a winged Cupid is delicately perched atop the clock. This youthful figure, with supple forms and a gentle face, provides a graceful counterpoint to the lion’s vigor. The composition evokes the allegorical themes cherished in the late 18th century, where Love, Strength, and Time engage in a subtle dialogue inspired by ancient mythology.
The circular white enamel dial is signed “Le Nepveu à Paris.” It features Roman numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with Arabic numerals, and retains its delicate openwork hands in gilded bronze. The bezel is accented by an elegant row of finely chiseled pearls.
The rectangular, beveled base is decorated with laurel garlands held in place by rosettes and rests on four turned feet. The piece as a whole displays exceptionally meticulous chiseling, both in the execution of the ornamental decoration and in the quality of the carving of the lion and Cupid. The mercury gilding, with its warm, deep hues, elegantly highlights every detail of the bronze.
Signed “Le Nepveu” in Paris, the movement is the work of a Parisian clockmaker documented between 1778 and 1789, a period corresponding to the heyday of large bronze clock production. At that time, the finest clockmakers collaborated with the most talented casters and engravers to create works in which mechanical quality rivaled the excellence of the ornamental sculpture.
With its balanced proportions, refined craftsmanship, and high-quality gilding, this clock is a captivating example of Parisian craftsmanship from the 1780s, when the Louis XVI style reached its full maturity.
Materials: finely chiseled bronze gilded with mercury; white enamel dial. Suspended by a wire. Movement serviced.
H: 30 cm W: 16.5 cm

Ref: CGYYMZDRDQ