Love Triumphs over Time OR (“When Love Comes, Time Stops”)
Movement: Courieult, Gabriel (d. 1786); Case Model: Pajou, Augustin (1730–1809),attrib.; Bronzier: Martincourt, Etienne (active 1763-1791), attrib.
France, circa 1780
Desription
This is a superb example of French sculptural gilt-bronze art with classical imagery. Chronos, the god of Time, dominates the celestial sphere, where the passage of time rules all things. He is then disarmed of his destructive scythe by a companion of Cupid, while the god of Marriage, Hymen, takes Chronos’ hourglass, signifying the triumph of Love over Time or, “When love comes, time stops.” Cupid, seated below, now victorious, uses his own arrow to point to the time on the revolving dial (the “cercles tournants.”)
The case is attributed to Etienne Martincourt, from a design by sculptor Augustin Pajou. After becoming a master in 1762, Martincourt was admitted to the Académie de Saint-Luc, a guild of decorative painters and sculptors in addition to his membership in the guild of bronziers. This dual membership allowed Martincourt to design as well as produce gilt bronze objects.
Augustin Pajou, who designed the model, was an exceptional sculptor and was Louis XV’s Sculpteur du Roi. In 1752 he went to work in Rome, returning to Paris four years later. His work reflects his Roman training. He was accepted to the Académie Royale in 1759. Obtaining both Royal and private commissions he is particulalry known for his portrait sculpture.
Gabriel Courieult became master in the clockmaking guild in 1767 and was working at Rue de Grenelle in Paris between 1769 and 1783. He produced a clock for Marie-Antoinette. He also made fine regulators.
The patinated sphere amongst gilt-bronze billowing clouds, has applied silver stars. Enameled plaques are used for the hours and minutes. The base is adorned with applied ormolu acanthus leaves, fruit and foliage, the bottom of the base signed, Courieult a Paris.
This superb sculptural clock is one of only five documented examples of this model, “Love Triumphs over Time.” Of the five known clocks based on this model, this is the only one set on a gilt-bronze base rather than marble. This clock is only one of two with an ormolu Chronos figure.