Athena and Hermes Porcelain Mantel Clock

This clock case exemplifies the collaboration of several artistic disciplines and workshops. The drum case enclosing the clock is formed of Chinese 18th century Imperial porcelain with finely-chased shell and leaf ormolu bezels, surmounted by a spray of porcelain flowers and raised on an ormolu tree draped with a martial trophy rising from a Meissen porcelain base flanked by the porcelain figures of Athena (the Greek goddess of wisdom) and Hermes (the messenger of the Greek gods).

The exquisite figures of Athena and Hermes were likely made by the renowned modeler of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, Johann Joachim Kändler. The flowers – astounding in their delicate realism - likely came from the French Vincennes manufactory that specialized in this form.

Considered the greatest German porcelain modeler, Johann Kändler was largely responsible for the Meissen porcelain manufactory’s inventiveness, quality, and success. The Elector of Saxony and founder of Meissen, Frederick Augustus I, appointed Kändler as his court sculptor in 1730. But a year later, he joined Meissen as a porcelain modeler. He became chief modeler in 1733, and his duties expanded to directing other sculptors as well as making his own models. His first projects were models for large, white birds and animals, more than three feet high. These massive pieces proved extremely difficult and expensive to produce. Kändler began producing smaller, more accessible pieces. Characters from the Italian commedia dell'arte, shepherds, and huntsmen were favorite subjects. During his career, he produced over 1,000 different models, all exhibiting extraordinary detail, sense of movement and naturalism. He trained other modelers at Meissen, notably his assistant and protégé, Peter Reinecke.