ELEPHANT CLOCK FRANCE, NAPOLEON III PERIOD Gilt... Lot 119

ELEPHANT CLOCK FRANCE, NAPOLEON III PERIOD Gilt bronze, patinated ; brass and enamel H. 35 cm, W. 22 cm, D. 40 cm The reign of Emperor Napoleon III was one of opulence and pastiche. Clocks, like all furnishing objects, imitated or interpreted works of the past in order to satisfy a demanding and wealthy clientele. Thus, the clock we are presenting appears to be an interpretation of the elephant clocks of the 18th century, in which exoticism is pushed to the limit (fig. 1). It is made with different types of patinas, both gilded and patinated, allowing a play of colours and composition. The elephant carries on its back a richly decorated howdah on which rests a sultana accompanied by two Moors, one holding an ostrich feather flabellum, the other a pheasant. The base is rocaille, simulating a rocky mound.