Superior Empire Vase Clock with Venus in her Chariot model by Claude Galle
Empire Vase Clock with Venus in her Chariot model by Claude Galle
This refined and richly decorated French Empire vase clock, with Venus in her chariot, is a famous model by Claude Galle. In their book, Ottomeyer and Pröschel reference that a clock with the title “Venus Coquille” appears in Galle’s workshop inventory in 1815, after the death of Claude Galle.
The clock dates from the early Empire period and it is in the form of a gilt bronze vase. This vase clock is surmounted by a figure of Venus sitting on a sea conch pulled by doves. On the side of the vase there are decorations of river masks, while a pair of dolphins support the vase. Finally, the base has a central ornamentation of Neptune’s head, flanked by sea horses.
On the white enamelled dial with gilt bronze hands, appears the signature Grandvoinnet, Quay de la Mégisserie No 44 à Paris. Grandvoinnet was active as a clock maker on this address from 1806-1820. The original clockwork has a silk suspended pendulum.
Details of this French Empire clock
This museum quality Empire vase clock, with Venus on a sea shell, has been professionally cleaned and is in a perfect condition with beautiful gilding. The movement has a pendulum with silk suspension and anchor escapement. It strikes the hours and half hours on a bell, regulated by a count wheel. It comes complete with pendulum, bell and key.
France ca. 1810
Dimensions: 35 cm high, 31 cm wide and 12 cm deep.
Weight: 7.4 kg.
Literature
- Vergoldete Bronzen – die Bronzearbeiten des Spätbarock und Klassizismus, Hans Ottomeyer/Peter Pröschel, p.371 fig. 5.13.17
- Encyclopédie de la pendule française, Pierre Kjellberg, p.377 #B
- French Bronze Clocks, Elke Niehüser, p.242 #939
- Dictionnaire des horlogers français, Tardy, p.270
See more Empire Clocks in our gallery.
Secure payment
Worldwide shipping 
Professional packaging 
Transport insurance
