LA LISEUSE" clock after a model by Jean-André Reiche (1752-1 - Lot 251

LA LISEUSE" clock after a model by Jean-André Reiche (1752-1817) Chased bronze clock with gilded and black patina, decorated with a young woman dressed in antique style, seated on a gondola armchair with black patina, decorated with applied palmettes and acanthus leaves. She is leaning against a draped table inscribed with the movement, absorbed in reading a book by the light of an oil lamp. White enameled dial with black Roman numerals indicating the hours. Signed "VAILLANT A PARIS". Base adorned with a frieze of palmettes, scrolls and acanthus leaves. Sea-green marble base resting on four toupie feet. Early 19th century 34 x 29 x 14 cm (Partially redecorated, one foot to be refixed) Jean-André Reiche (1752-1817), designed this model, which he registered with the Bibliothèque Impériale on February 19, 1805 and published in a bronzier's sales catalog in 1806. An identical clock signed by Bailly was delivered in 1806 for the Secretary of State of the Kingdom of Italy in Fontainebleau, in Monsieur Aldini's room. Following the success of this model, variations were made in the arrangement of objects and furniture, while respecting the setting and iconography. References Pierre Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la pendule française du Moyen Age au XXe siècle, les Editions de l'Amateur, Paris, 1997, p. 398. Hans Ottomeyer & Peter Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p 374