Desk clock; France, late 19th century.

Table clock; France, late nineteenth century.
Burnished and chiseled bronze and enameled porcelain.
Missing pieces of machinery and some bronzes are loose.
Machinery signed "Vassy Jeure Paris".
Measurements: 68 x 50,5 x 14,5 cm.
Table clock made of burnished and chiseled bronze with enameled porcelain cup "Beau bleu" in the manner of Sèvres. The piece sits on a golden pedestal base, inspired in its design by classical antique motifs. On the base sit two round figures flanking the sides representing a couple of children. In the center stands the cup with bronze base and porcelain body adorned with two goat heads as a handle, each of them on the sides. The front of the body houses the clock face with Roman numerals in black and gold-colored openwork hands. Finally, the cup has a gilded bronze finial.
This type of work was very common in the interior decoration of houses and palaces of the upper class in the nineteenth century. Used to decorate rooms by placing them on tables, chests of drawers, etc., they were highly appreciated both by the nobility and by a certain part of the bourgeoisie (those who aspired to emulate the aristocracy, above all) and were made in practically all the important artistic schools of the time. However, the most valued creations were the French ones for several reasons. First, the quality of their design, always inspired by the artistic innovations of the time and avoiding excessive repetition, with a wide variety of models drawn from different sources (Greek sculptures, mythological themes, contemporary works, etc.). Secondly, for the quality of the materials used: high quality porcelain, well-crafted bronzes of good casting and excellent gilding (techniques that the French government itself always had very controlled so as not to lower their quality or, as a result, the category of their production), metals, sometimes carved and polychromed wood, etc.