Mantel clock

The dial mechanism of this clock was changed several times in its history, hence the original dial face has not survived. The dial face bears the signature of the case maker, the bronze maker Pierre-Victor Ledure, who worked in Paris in 1812, on Neuve des Petits Champs Street, and later in 1820 on Vivienne Street, as well as his associate clockmaker Claude Hémon, whose workshop was located on St Martin Street between 1812 and 1820. The original case has survived,

presenting the highest level of skills of the French artist, creator of figural compositions in fire-gilded bronze, decorating cases characteristic of 19th century fireplace clocks. The case of the Wilanów clock tells the story of the courage and noble attitude of the ancient hero Jason during the brave expedition of the Argonauts, in search of the golden fleece hidden in the grove of Colchis. On the pedestal there is a scene referring to other heroic deeds of Jason: taming the bulls of Hephaestus and ploughing the field, where the teeth of the defeated dragon were sown; in the background there are Argonauts among the waves. On the sides of the pedestal there are wreaths due to the victors. The pedestal supported by four half-figures of winged lions. A circular clock face (secondary) was mounted in the folds of a mantle suspended by a tree branch. The decoration features Empire style motifs. In 1971 a contemporary mechanism was installed in place of the missing one.

AK