A Very large French Empire ormolu or gilt bronze mantle clock. French, 2nd Empire (Napoleon III) circa: 1850-1860. Measuring: 23" wide by 20" high. Weighing 50 pounds.
The Palatial sized mantle clock depicting Hippolytus fleeing from his father, his chariot drawn by two horses, one chariot wheel incorporating a chapter ring and enclosing the striking movement. The rectangular base supported by dolphins decorated with griffins and Roman helmets and a central harp. The movement signed Japy Freres.
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Literature:
JAPY. Frederic Japy, perhaps the biggest and best known of French manufacturers was employing 300 people in his factory at Beaucourt as early as 1801. When his sons entered the business in 1807 the famous company JAPY FRERES was established.
A Virtually identical model is reproduced, Vergoldete Bronzen,
Vol. I, 1987 , p. 355, no. 5.9.5.
Hippolytus [hip-PAHL-ih-tuhs] Son of Theseus and Antiope, queen of the Amazons, Hippolytus’s stepmother Phaedra fell in love with him, but he rejected her affections. In revenge, she hanged herself, leaving a note accusing him of defiling her. His enraged father Theseus banished Hippolytus and begged the gods to destroy him. As a result, the sight of a sea monster frightened the horses pulling Hippolytus in his chariot. Hippolytus lost control, and the horses dragged him to his death.
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