Lot Essay
A clock of closely related design by Claude Galle, is illustrated, H. Ottomeyer/P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, p. 366, fig. 5. 13. 3. A further closely related clock, by Robin, is in the Ministry of Finance, Paris and illustrated in E. Dumonthier, Les Bronzes du Mobilier National, Pendules et Cartels, Paris, pl. 37. The latter clock has similar rounded lion paw feet to those of the present example.
The present clock shows Hector's farewell to his wife Andromache and their son Astyanax. Hector, a Trojan prince, was killed by Achilles during the Trojan wars. Astyanax was thrown from the city walls by the Greek Herald Talthybius. Achilles' son, Neoptolemus, took Andromache as a concubine and Hector's brother, Helenus, as a slave.
The present clock shows Hector's farewell to his wife Andromache and their son Astyanax. Hector, a Trojan prince, was killed by Achilles during the Trojan wars. Astyanax was thrown from the city walls by the Greek Herald Talthybius. Achilles' son, Neoptolemus, took Andromache as a concubine and Hector's brother, Helenus, as a slave.