Object Description
Louis XVI style ormolu and rouge griotte marble clock set
French, 1867
Clock: height 67cm, width 46cm, depth 28cm
Candelabra: height 81cm, width 34cm, depth 34cm
Comprising a pair of six-light vase candelabra flanking a clock-inset pedestal, this fine three piece clock set garniture was cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne to a sculptural design by the artist Eugene Aizelin (French, 1821-1902). In Neoclassical style, the vases are profusely adorned with elegant ormolu handles, base, and mounts, with ormolu cast griotte marble bases which match the case of the central clock.
The clock is mounted above with a gilt bronze group titled ‘Bergers d’Arcadie’ after a model by Eugene Aizelin, itself inspired by Poussin’s Neoclassical masterpiece ‘Et in arcadia ego,’ (even in Arcadia am I – referring to death), which shows a trio of shepherds and a woman pausing at austere ancient tomb to contemplate the titular inscription. The sculpture, known from many other examples also cast by Barbedienne, depicts a shepherd indicating an inscription in Greek on the ground with his staff to a female companion. The stone to their left is also inscribed in Greek, and the gilt-bronze mount for the clock is signed, sealed, and dated, inscribed ‘E. Aizelin / 1867,’ and ‘F. Barbediene. Fondeur.’