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Lot Essay
The Parisian bronzier and fondeur, Henri Vian, is recorded as having specialized in the production of gilt-bronzes in the 18th century style. The firm's output was concerned principally with the production of lighting fixtures, thus making this mantel clock inspired by Oppenord's design somewhat unusual. Furthermore, few of Vian's contemporaries were known to produce the celebrated model and its companion pedestal, however examples by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener were sold Sotheby's, Amsterdam, 31 May 1988, lot 237 and Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 5 December 1990, lot 111, respectively.
An example of the present model and pedestal is illustrated in situ in the firm's Parisian exhibition salon located at the Hôtel Salé (see J. Babelon, 'La maison du bourgeois gentilhomme: l'Hôtel Salé, 5, rue de Thorigny, à Paris', Revue de l'Art, 1985, No. 68, p. 34). Upon Vian's death in 1905, the business was continued by his wife and son until 1944, when the city of Paris took over the premises for the l'Ecole des Métiers d'Art.
An example of the present model and pedestal is illustrated in situ in the firm's Parisian exhibition salon located at the Hôtel Salé (see J. Babelon, 'La maison du bourgeois gentilhomme: l'Hôtel Salé, 5, rue de Thorigny, à Paris', Revue de l'Art, 1985, No. 68, p. 34). Upon Vian's death in 1905, the business was continued by his wife and son until 1944, when the city of Paris took over the premises for the l'Ecole des Métiers d'Art.