Empire period Baccarat crystal and gilded bronze amphora clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1800
This table clock, attributed to France and dated to approximately 1800, features a distinctive amphora-shaped design composed of clear Baccarat crystal and gilded bronze.
The timepiece is supported by a square, bronze base decorated with an ornamental frieze and four ball feet. The crystal body exhibits a carved surface with a baluster-shaped profile, a biconical neck, and a beveled shaft. Two symmetrical gilded bronze handles, cast in the form of winged female figures, are affixed to the body of the vessel. The clock dial is centrally mounted within the crystal, framed by a decorative outer perimeter.
The clock measures 43 cm in height and maintains an overall aesthetic associated with early nineteenth-century decorative horological pieces.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Table clock
- Height
- 43 cm
- Materials
- Baccarat crystal and gilded bronze
- Body shape
- Amphora-style
- Base design
- Square base with frieze and ball feet
- Handle form
- Winged young woman
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker/Attribution
- France, ca. 1800
- Maker / attribution
- Attributed to Baccarat
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilded bronze handles modeled as winged female figures • Crystal body features carved, swirling decorative patterns • Square base adorned with an ornamental frieze and ball feet • Dial displays Roman numerals and two winding arbors
- Design and Composition
- The clock is designed as an amphora, a form often utilized in the decorative arts of the period. The body is fashioned from transparent Baccarat crystal, which has been carved with geometric or rhythmic patterns that enhance its light-reflecting qualities. This crystal vessel is set into a square bronze base, which serves as the anchor for the entire assembly. The base is decorated with an ornamental frieze and rests on four ball feet, providing a stable foundation. The upper portion of the clock includes a biconical neck and a beveled shaft, contributing to the vessel's overall profile. Attached to the shoulders of the crystal are two elaborate gilded bronze handles. These handles are modeled in the likeness of winged female figures, which serve both as structural supports and as primary decorative motifs, consistent with the classical influences observed in the design.
- Dial and Functionality
- The timepiece is integrated directly into the crystal body. The dial is located on the front face, featuring a white surface with Roman numerals for time indication. The dial is surrounded by a gilded bronze bezel that includes a decorative border, which helps to separate the clock movement visually from the cut glass of the body. The dial is relatively simple, allowing the ornate bronze and crystal elements of the housing to remain the focal points of the object.
- Provenance and Historical Context
- The clock is identified as an Empire-period object, reflecting the neoclassical aesthetics prominent in France at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The auction documentation suggests that this style of clock was a common feature in domestic interiors of the era, serving both functional timekeeping purposes and as a statement of refinement. The description explicitly links the design to broader trends in decorative arts where classical elements, such as human figures on pedestals and rigid, straight lines, were favored. This particular piece represents a type of table clock that was manufactured in France around 1800, utilizing both Baccarat crystal and gilded bronze in its construction.
Identification
- Lot number
- 115
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact manufacturing date of circa 1800 is an attribution by the source
- Research required: The attribution to Baccarat crystal is reported by the source without additional verification