Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss after Antonio Canova (1757 – 1822) ~ French - Circa 1900 ~ ~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~ A truly breathtaking sculptural clock, a beautiful version of the famous sculpture Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova currently in the Louvre. It is bronze and gilt patinated metal mounted on a beautifully figured specimen marble base with the Japy Freres clock mounted below the figures. On the front is a plaque with the title of the piece.

 This winged young man who has just landed on a rock where a girl lies unconscious, is the god Eros – Cupid in Latin – and can be recognized by his wings and his quiver filled with arrows. The girl’s name is Psyche. Cupid’s mother Venus, goddess of Beauty, demanded that Psyche bring back a flask from the Underworld, strictly forbidding her to open it. But Psyche’s curiosity got the better of her; and no sooner had she had breathed in the terrible fumes than she fell into a deep, deathlike sleep. Seeing her lying motionless, Cupid rushed to her and touched her gently with the tip of his arrow, to make sure she was not dead. This is the moment caught by the sculptor: Cupid lifts his beloved Psyche in a tender embrace, his face close to hers. Psyche lets herself sink slowly backwards, languorously taking her lover’s head between her hands. Canova took his inspiration from a legend recounted by Latin author Apuleius in the Metamorphoses At the close of the tale the gods decide in council to grant Cupid Psyche’s hand in marriage, according her immortality and making her the goddess of the Soul. From the Musée du Louvre website.

The dial is enamel on copper with exquisitely painted floral swags between the numerals and original finely fretted gilt brass hands.

The French movement is by Japy Freres and is of the maker's usual high quality. The Japy Freres mark is on the movement backplate. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is a replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video clip below to hear the bell and watch the clock running!

Condition of the case is excellent, the original patination is very good with just some slight wear in places, especially near the dial. The marble is also excellent with only tiny nibbles. The dial has no damage. A truly stunning clock to add to your collection.  

Complete with pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.

Click the movie player below to see the this actual clock run -
(large file, may take a moment to start).