IIn France during the late 18th century and the early 19th century, the arts of casting and chasing were brought to a level unparalleled in the West. French bronzes were passionately collected by all who could afford them, including nobility.
Pierre-Etienne Romain (c. 1765- after 1821) was one of the most
famous bronze artists in France, only the best of whom signed their names on the dial ? which was usually signed by the movement maker or the retailer. This is one of very few clocks known to have been executed by Romain and signed by him (another bronze clock executed by Romain and signed on the dial can be seen in the Palais de l'Elysée). To avoid fraud and copying, on April 21, 1766 the Guild of Master Casters set up an office to register the exact scale drawings of each caster's models. During the Directoire and the Consulate, the most popular models were ?Erigonus?, ?Psyche and Cupid?, the ?Oath of Love? (produced by Thomire) and a few others. The more frivolous subjects such as the ?Toilette of Venus?, or the ?Le Rapt de la Rose? by Romain hold a special place. The latter was perhaps Romain?s best known subject. Slightly controversial, it drew a great deal of attention to the artist, already very well known for his ?Fall of Phaeton?, of which an example is preserved at the Palais de l'Elysée, and another in the Royal Collection in Madrid. Despite its renown, Romain?s ?Rapt de la Rose? is not known to survive in any of the major collections. The present clock may therefore be unique. It has, furthermore, been preserved in almost pristine conition.