Boundary clock in the antique style, adorned with a study fi - Lot 238

Boundary clock in the antique style, adorned with a study figure. Belgian black marble, finely chased bronze and gilded matte finish, with bas-relief decoration. The facade is adorned with a study figure seated on a globe, suggesting its power, for it is through study that one establishes one's hold on the world. The stars arranged in a circle around the dial and the winged, flaming torches tied with a ribbon on the sides symbolize light and truth. It rests on a base embellished by two lions evoking power, wisdom and justice. The dial is signed "Ravrio Bronzier à Paris Mesnil Hger" Andrée Antoine Ravrio, bronzier (1757-1814) - Mesnil, horloger. Paris. Empire period. Circa 1804. H_47 cm W_24 cm D_16, 5 cm Mesnil, Watchmaker. Mesnil" is clearly the signature of one of the members of the Dugrandmesnil or Dumesnil family, a dynasty of Parisian watchmakers. On many dials, Mesnil's name is associated with that of the craftsman Ravrio, with whom he collaborated regularly during the Empire. As early as this period, some of his clocks were mentioned in certain major collections, notably those briefly described in the after-death inventories of General Joseph-Félix Lazowski, Marquis Germain Garnier, Emmanuel-Marie-Louis Marquis de Noailles, French ambassador to Vienna, Louis-Alexandre Berthier Prince de Wagram and His Excellency Michel Ney Prince de la Moskowa, former marshal to Emperor Napoleon. Provenance: Collection of Monsieur Robert I. Expert: Mr. Stéphane PEPE