A rare and attractive French Empire ormolu bronze and portor sculptural 'cercles tournants' mantel clock, case attributed to Galle

countwheel bell striking anchor movement signed Lesieur with silk suspended pendulum turning the two horizontal enamel chapter rings with jumping hours across a fixed pointer, arched bronze case with a branch mount, hinged garland covering the winding holes and signature Lesieur, flanked by a finely cast and chiseled classical nude holding a drape and a wreath, rectangular relief moulded portor base with a figural mount inscribed OUBLI DU TEMS raised on cherub feet, bronzework of very good quality

both chapter rings in good condition, movement able to function and in good condition, case of very good quality and in very good condition, gilding intact, lovely marble base, together with a pendulum
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Claude Galle (d.1815) was amongst the greatest bronziers and fondeur-ciseleurs of the late Louis XVI and Empire periods. First patronised by the Garde meuble de la Couronne under Jean d'Heure from 1786-1788, he is known to have collaborated with Pierre-Philipe Thomire, amongst others, and was responsible for much of the bronzes d'ameublement supplied during the Empire period to Fontainebleau.

 

Galle's star piece at the 1806 Great Exhibition in Paris was 'la corbeille de marriage de la Princesse Catherine de Wurthemberg', however, as the accounts of the jury further report that was not all: 'Galle a surtout produit des pendules du plus beau style. It is well possible that one of these might have been the mantel clock that a further juror described as "modelled with a female figure draping the dial leaving the only the current hour visible"; and which ended winning a silver medal.

A similar model was presented to Napoleon I in 1806 and is now at the Château de Malmaison. P. Kjellberg, Encyclodépie de La Pendule Française du moyen age au XXe siècle, Paris, 1997, p. 401; Ottomeyer & Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, p.369.