MONUMENTAL PORCELAIN MANTELPIECE CLOCK WITH CHRONOS.
KPM. Berlin. Beginning of the 20th century. Design P. Schley.

Porcelain; enriched in colours and gold. Impressive tripartite case with rich ornamental gilding on a stepped base; decorated with
rocaille and leaf ornaments as well as fine gold relief painting. The winged Chronos is
enthroned on the "Rad der Zeit ("Wheel of Time") on the central; richly profiled body with
the clockwork; holding up an hourglass in his right hand. The time symbolism is taken up
again below the dial by the figure of a putto holding a snake; biting its own tail; in his
hands. The construction is flanked by two sphinxes; each accompanied by a putto. Fronts of
the base and back of the case are decorated with fine flowers in soft paste painting and
relief enamel in gold. Dimensions with base 75.5x91.5x26cm.
Sceptre mark; base and chronos each red imperial orb as well as each model no. 3619. Condition C.

Provenance:
Private collection Berlin

Literature:
Dietz; Franca: Die Sammlung Hassan Sabet; Bl黨ende Zeit der KPM; Die Weichmalerei auf
Berliner Porzellan; Petersberg; 2013. Pp. 84-85; 473-475.

The design for this model was created by Paul Schley in 1891. Schley; who was working for
KPM as model master since 1885; was substantially involved in numerous monumental major
works of the manufactory at the turn of the century. The comprehensively trained sculptor
often incorporated figurative paragons from the Rococo period into his drafts; and
succeeded in transforming the physicality of different materials into porcelain. The
monumental pendulum clock; which was designed as a new year's present for Emperor William
II.; is an impressive example of Schley's working method. The high social status of the
recipient asked for the highest level of representative character; which was achieved by
elaborate pictorial and sculptural design. As models for the excitingly modelled figures;
Schley most likely used Baroque sculptures from the gardens of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam
and the Berlin Palace.Art trade; Van Ham.