Table clock featuring an equestrian group. Louis-Philippe period, ca. 1840.

Table clock with equestrian group. Louis-Philippe period, ca. 1840.
Mercury-gilded bronze and silver-plated bronze.
White enamel dial, signed “Richond Fils, Montmartre, Paris.”
Mechanical movement with chime on a bell.
It shows minor wear to the gilding and silver plating, consistent with its age.
Measurements: 58 x 37 x 19 cm.

This pendulum clock is a fine example of French decorative clockmaking from the Louis-Philippe period, in which the mechanism is integrated into a sculptural composition with a striking presence. On the case is a group consisting of two silver-plated bronze horses, accompanied by a dog set against a gilded naturalistic landscape.

French pendulum clocks from this period frequently combine gilded, patinated, or silver-plated bronze with equestrian groups, a characteristic feature of the Louis-Philippe era. The horses are rendered with particular attention to anatomy and movement. The dog and the rocky terrain introduce a reference to the landscape and the world of hunting, themes particularly suited to the Romantic taste for nature.

The case, with hallmarks, features a compact and symmetrical structure. The corners are embellished with large acanthus leaves, and the dial is framed by a floral wreath, while friezes of leaves and classical motifs run along the base. This balance between architecture, classical ornamentation, and animal sculpture makes the pendulum clock an object designed to occupy a prominent place among ceremonial furnishings.

The signature refers to Maison Richond, one of the Parisian clockmaking firms active during the 19th century. Benoît Félix Richond (1795–1873), a clockmaker and jeweler based on Boulevard Montmartre, achieved a notable reputation in his time.