Object Description
An Impressive Silvered Bronze Clock Set
Depicting Hebe & Jupiter’s Eagle
By Charpentier et Cie of Paris
In classical mythology, Hebe, the personification of youth, is also cupbearer to the gods. She is the daughter of Juno and Jupiter (represented here by his eagle). Seated between his wings, she is holding the oinochoe (wine pitcher) in one arm while with her free hand she gracefully offers him divine nectar known as ambrosia, a drink which reinforced the Olympians’ immortality.
The three-piece clock garniture centred around the large silvered bronze figural group after the original by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, supported on a gilt-bronze mounted onyx clock base, denoting the hours in Roman numerals, the central clock flanked by a pair of silvered and gilt bronze female figures in neoclassical garb, their amphoras issuing five scrolling candleholders, each supported on conforming onyx bases. The dial of the clock signed ‘Charpentier et Cie / Bronziers / Paris / Rue Charlot 8.’
French, Circa 1860
Dimensions:
Clock: H: 29.5 in / 75 cm | W: 18.5 in / 47 cm | D: 10.5 in / 26 cm
Candelabra: H: 36 in / 91.5 cm | W: 6 in / 14.5 cm