Ravrio, Paris

A fine ormolu and marble Empire mantel clock by Mesnil in a case by André-Antoine Ravrio, featuring Diana, the Roman Goddess of Hunting and her dog. Circa 1810

Dial

The 3 3/4 inch white fired enamel dial with Roman hour numerals and a minute track signed below XII Ravrio Bronzier à Paris and above VI Mesnil Hr. Fine blued steel Breguet style hands. Regulation set in the gilt bezel with Greek border and bead bezel.

Case

The ormolu case with movement set within a rectangular plinth surmounted by a hunting horn, quiver of arrows and a spray of oak leaves and acorns. Below the dial a gilt mount of two horns and arrows draped with a fleece. Diana is standing to the right of the plinth with her bow, her faithful hunting dog, seated on a tree stump to the left is looking towards Diana. The gilt base with acanthus leaf moulding on a verde antico marble base with four adjustable turned and knurled feet.

Movement

The eight day movement with silk suspension and anchor escapement striking the hours and half hours on a bell.

Height 16 inches (41 cm) Width 14 inches (35 cm) Depth 4 3/4 inches (12 cm)

André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814) was one of the most eminent and greatest pre and post-revolutionary French bronziers. His greatest fame came during the Napoleonic era when he supplied bronze furnishings for the Empress Joséphine's apartments in the Tuileries and in 1810 was appointed as the Emperor's chief bronzier.

He trained as a fondeur under his father, André, whose family had been fondeurs since 1661.

His clock cases are among some of the finest made during the Empire period and often house clock movements by the Parisian clockmaker Mesnil, counting among them one which was made for the Empress Joséphine for the Palais de l’Elysées. Other clocks with cases by Ravrio and movements by Mesnil include one in the Stedelijk Museum at Leiden and another at Stockholm Castle.