Mantel clock "Quiet Melancholy"
Mantel clock "Quiet Melancholy"
Russian Empire, Saint-Petersburg
The 1830-1840s
D. POTONIE & Cie (clockwork), Samuel Wehl workshop
Steel, brass, bronze, enamel; mechanical works, casting, gilding, chasing
The round clockwork is mounted in two-tiered rectangular gilded case. Volumetric cast onlay case facade is made in the shape of the composition featuring oak branches with leaves and acorns, flowers, shoots, acanthus leaves and curls, placed on mesh background. Twisted ribbon border with quadrifoils is below. Ribbed socle with hanging leaves and volutes is below. On the lateral sides, it turns into rocailles, serving as front feet. Openwork cast onlay - palmette is fixed in the socle center. Two ornately shaped polished feet are screwed to the bottom side. Round enamel dial in fluted bezel in the upper part envelops facade. Black Roman numerals for hours' designation, minutes' divisions and black blue-finished central hands are on the dial. Round apertures with square pins for winding key are near the four and eight o’clock marks, thin pin four clock escapement adjustment is near the 12 o’clock mark. The clock has half-hour strike on bell, two spring motors and pendulum with spring suspension.
Cast gilded sculptural composition featuring the figure of a young woman sitting in the garden under leaning tree is on the case top. The woman is dressed in long dress with wide sleeves made of heavy fabric with textured ornamental stitching. The dress and head cover can be attributed to the Gothic style. Closed book is on the bench to the right; a cup on high stem is to the left. High metal jug with spout and thin curved handle is near the bench.
The composition bottom is adorned with cast rocailles, acanthus leaves and round beads ornaments. Winding key is in the set. The clock is a replica, with slight differences, of the French watch dated the 1830s.Инв.450.1-2/ДПИ