A large, extremely rare Empire-style pendulum clock.
- Period:
- Empire, 1810
- Dimensions:
- 55 x 55.5 x 21 cm
- Reference:
- 100-968
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A large, extremely rare Empire-style pendulum clock.
Bacchus or Dionysus, the god of wine, but also of the power of nature, is here
depicted as the mythological figure Cupid, god of love, seated on a wine barrel atop a
chariot adorned with grapevines. The whole is drawn by two leopards.
The story goes that, in a magnificent procession in honour of Dionysus in 300 BC, more
than twenty-four adult lions, leopards and cheetahs took part. Leopards are also
mentioned in the myth of the nymphs of Nysa, who raised Dionysus.
The leopard symbolises his speed, strength, fearlessness and self-confidence.
Leopards are rarely depicted on clocks.
Here, Cupid is not carrying his bow and arrow, but is tucking into the grapes, whilst he has the triumphal chariot
drawn by two leopards. This illustrates that love is stronger than physical strength.
Love transcends all else
France, circa 1810.
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