by Honoré Pons.
~ French - Circa 1830 ~
~~ Excellent condition ~~
The composition is elegantly portrayed and particularly well executed. Antonio Canova was renowned for his subtle rendering of nude flesh and the bronzier has also captured this. Although delicately and finely modelled, this is a large and heavy clock that will require a substantial mantle or side table to stand on.
The sculpture is a clear representation of the character Psyche and her love affair with Cupid, also known as Eros in Greek mythology. Psyche was a princess so stunning and beautiful that the goddess Venus became jealous. In revenge, she instructs her son Cupid to make her fall in love with a hideous monster; but instead he falls in love with her himself. He became her unseen husband, visiting her only at night. Psyche disobeys his orders not to attempt to look at him, and in doing so she loses him. In her search for him she undertakes a series of cruel and difficult tasks set by Venus in the hope of winning him back. Cupid can eventually no longer bear to witness her suffering or to be apart from her and pleads their cause to the gods. Psyche becomes an immortal and the lovers are married in heaven. The sculpture of the winged lovers, cupid and psyche, are one of the most romantic of all love affairs from Greek mythology. Click here to see the original sculpture.
The base of the clock is made of beautifully variegated Sienna marble mounted with bronze acanthus leaves and standing on a bronze base.
The French movement is of excellent quality and is fitted with the earlier silk suspension. The clockmaker is Honoré Pons, is listed in Loomes and Baillie and is credited as reviving the clockmaking industry in Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont near Dieppe. He was sent there in 1806 by the Minister of the Interior and over the next decades built up clockmaking there until his death in 1857. This movement has the mark of "gold medal 1827" on the backplate, see picture below. The dial is silvered and has its original glass bezel with a bayonet fitting to the clock. Movement is in excellent, clean and running condition having been fully cleaned and serviced by our clockmaker. Pendulum is an old replacement. Click the movie below to hear the bell and watch the clock running!
Condition of the case is excellent with a good patina to the bronze. The upper sienna marble base has a repair to the rear of the case and there is a very slight crack in the front behind the bronze which is isn't noticeable. There is a slight graze and scratch on the original glass and also some slight nibbles to the corners of the marble.
Complete with pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.
A stunning early clock for the collector or a centrepiece for a grand room!
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Dragon-Antiques.com Profile Page
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**** Sold **** Fine Early Bronze and Sienna Marble Clock - Cupid and Psyche by Honoré Pons.
