Important Empire clock “à la Bacchante”, signed Bailly

An elegant and spectacular Empire period clock in finely chased mercury-gilt bronze, set on an architectural base in white marble.

The circular white enamel dial, signed “Bailly à Paris”, features Roman numerals for the hours and delicate hands. It is framed within a richly decorated mount with bead and foliate motifs.

The high-quality movement has an anchor escapement with silk thread suspension, a traditional system widely used until the mid-19th century for its precision and stability against climatic variations. It strikes the hours and half-hours on a bell.

The particularly refined composition is characteristic of the neoclassical taste and Empire style:
– a female figure, a Bacchante in gilt bronze treated in the antique manner, is elegantly positioned atop the dial in an expressive pose,
– on either side, two patinated bronze sphinxes rest on marble architectural bases, reflecting the fascination with ancient Egypt that was highly fashionable during the Empire,
– the whole is enriched with abundant ornamentation: openwork scrolls, rosettes, masks, an animal frieze, and a sun-shaped pendant.

This type of composition belongs to the production of the great Parisian bronziers of the early 19th century, often associated with the finest clockmakers.

The signature “Bailly à Paris” refers to one of the most important Parisian clockmakers of the Napoleonic era, official supplier to the Garde-Meuble impérial and clockmaker to Their Imperial and Royal Majesties, renowned for the quality and precision of his movements.

Parisian work, Empire period, circa 1810–1820.

Materials: gilt and patinated bronze, white Carrara marble, enamel dial
Movement: eight-day duration, anchor escapement, silk thread suspension, striking on bell
Condition: very good state of preservation, original gilding