‘The Chariot of Telemachus’ – A Fine Gilt-Bronze Empire Style Chariot Clock

Description

‘The Chariot of Telemachus’ – A Fine Gilt-Bronze Empire Style Chariot Clock, After Jean-Andre Reiche.

The circular bronze annular dial with Roman chapters shaped as a wheel, surmounted by Athena and Telemachus astride a lion-headed chariot pulled by rearing stallions, on a rectangular base centred by an eagle with four fasces-form feet, the eight-day twin barrel movement with silk suspension and countwheel strike on bell.

A comparable design for this ‘pendule au chariot’ first appears in a drawing signed by the bronzier Jean-André Reiche dated 1807 now in Le Bibliothéque Nationale de Paris (Cabinet des Estampes, Le 30, fol.43).

Among other surviving models is one in the Spanish Royal Collection, another in the Musée de Château de Malmaison (MM 40-47-8304), as well as two further examples in the Musée François Duesberg at Mons in Belgium. A nearly identical clock is illustrated in Pierre Kjellberg, L’Encyclopedie de la Pendule Francaise, Paris 1997, p. 417., ill. D.

France, Circa 1830.

‘Les pendules au char’, or, chariot pendulum clocks, first appeared in Germany in the 16th Century, but became popular in France at the end of the 18th century and into the 19th. This format provided opportunity to portray the gods and goddess of antiquity going about their various affairs and mischief, fitting neatly into the contemporary love of the antique. This remarkable clock consequently not only tells the time but also narrates a legendary tale from ancient Greek mythology, wrapped in the grandeur of the Napoleonic era.

The clock is housed in a magnificent gilt-bronze case adorned with intricate details. Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet style moon hands mark the hours and minutes, set within the wheel of a chariot with gilt bronze spokes at five-minute intervals. The movement boasts an anchor escapement, silk thread suspension, and strikes on the hour and half-hour, regulated by an external count wheel.

The remarkable case portrays the heroic adventures of Telemachus, son of Ulysses, from Homer’s ‘Odyssey’. Urged by the gods, Telemachus sets out to find his father, Ulysses, who has not returned home after the Trojan Wars.

Telemachus is depicted standing animated in his chariot, pulled by a pair of rearing horses. At the front of the chariot, a roaring lion’s head symbolises strength and courage. Behind Telemachus stands Athena, the warrior goddess, wearing a helmet and holding her shield, cast with the head of the Gorgon Medusa, in her left hand and a spear in her right. This dynamic scene rests upon a rectangular base, embellished with an eagle and laurel wreaths and flanked by ‘fasces’ to the corners. The lion head on the chariot signifies fortitude, while Athena’s presence symbolises wisdom and protection. According to mythology, Athena was the daughter of Jupiter signified by the presence of an eagle on the frieze below.

These rich narratives bring to life epic tales of heroism and divine intervention and celebrate the cultural richness of the Napoleonic era. The elaborate design and mythological references encapsulate the spirit of an age that celebrated both ancient heroism and contemporary acts of valour.