Lot 487
FRENCH NAPOLEON III GILT BRONZE MANTEL CLOCK, EUGÈNE CORNU, PARIS
CIRCA 1870
Auction: Day Two | Thursday 19 Feb at 10am | Lots 353 to 600
Description
the silvered chapter ring dial with Roman numerals interspersed with engraved dolphins, the gilt bronze centre mask with embossed stylised crane figures, signed to the edges of the mask ‘E. Cornu, A Paris’, the architectural case with a pierced caddy top surmounted by a foliate finial, the case flanked by two cast and chased dolphin figures, on a shaped rectangular base centred by a lion mask raised on scroll corbels, further set on a stepped plinth with bracket feet, the twin train movement with outside countwheel striking to a bell, stamped ‘A.C’ in a circle and numbered ‘791’
Dimensions
60cm high, 37cm wide, 20cm deep
Footnote
The sculptor Eugène Cornu (French 1827-1899), was based at 29 rue Popincourt in Paris. He first worked as a draughtsman and director of works for the Tahan house, before working closely, from 1858, with the Compagnie des Marbres Onyx d'Algérie, led by Gustave Viot, successor to Alphonse Pallu. He exhibited extensively at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867, and also at the Paris Salon in 1874.