Empire period Hercules clock in gilt bronze.

Beautiful chased and gilded bronze clock, historically attributed to Claude Galle, featuring the effigy of Hercules (Heracles in Greek).
The famous demigod is shown leaning against a large tree trunk, holding three apples from the Garden of the Hesperides in his left hand, while his right hand rests on his club.
The hero is dressed in the nebride of the lion of Nemea, also known as leonté, symbolizing, like the golden apples, another of Hercules' twelve labors.
The octagonal base of the clock is adorned at its center with a large applique featuring the demigod's attributes: mace, bow and arrow:
-mace, bow and arrow
-leonté, the skin of the Nemean lion.
-the talons, at the bottom of the applique, of the birds of Lake Stymphalus.

On the sides of the base, two sconces in the form of laurel wreaths, symbolizing victory over the work imposed by the gods.
Two other sconces feature an arrow surrounded by two snakes. A reference to the hero's childhood, when Juno (Jupiter's wife) placed these two reptiles in Hercules' cradle to kill him.

The whole of this beautiful clock rests on four leonine feet, again recalling the lion of Nemea.

The movement, set into the tree trunk, is signed "Gentilhomme Palais Royal à Paris", for Jean-François Gentilhomme. Watchmaker referenced in the stone galleries of the Palais Royal until 1818.
After his death, and for a few years afterwards, his widow continued to sign "Veuve Gentilhomme au palais royal".

Very fine condition, original mercury gilding, simply cleaned. Very nice matte and glossy finish.

Wire movement in perfect working order, overhauled by an art watchmaker.
Tiny chips at the winding holes.

Empire period, Attributed to Claude Galle (1759-1815).

Dimensions :
Height 50 cm
Width 37 cm
Depth 15 cm

Bibliography :
-Vergoldete Bronzen, Ottomeyer/Pröschel. Page 399

-FRENCH BRONZE CLOCKS, 1700-1830. A STUDY OF THE FIGURAL IMAGES,NIEHUSER (E.)
Page 64 and 231

-CATALOGO ILUSTRADO DEL MUSEO DE RELOJES DE LAS BODEGAS, ZOILO RUIZ MATEOS.
Page 100

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