A Fine Greek revival figural mystery clock by Tiffany & Co. New York, circa 1867, the pedestal attributed to Georges Émile Henri Servant

8-day movement with deadbeat escapement signed TIFFANY & Co. MAKERS / 495, the original and gilded dial inscribed TIFFANY & C./MAKERS.

The bronze patina has minor wear and scratches to surface but still in good decorative presentation. The pedestal, however, has two gilt-bronze finials missing out of the tree lion cast mask. Very small chips to glass dial edges and minor loss to the gilt-painted numerals and banding. Scratches to sand filled globe. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the clock movement and the buyer should contact a clock restorer to discuss any questions about the movement and its workings. 8-day movement with deadbeat escapement signed Tiffany & Co. makers 495 driving the pendulum through a crutch the wheel work of the hands is contained in the central part of the dial and is driven by a small pivot activated by the oscillation of the pendulum thus moving the hands without any connection to the movement.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The goût Grec or Greek revival style of the 1860s and 1870s was introduced at the 1862 London Exhibition by ébénistes such as Diehl and bronziers such as Marchand and Barbedienne.  Within five years, designers had developed the goût Grec, which took a prominent position at the 1867 Paris Universal Exhbition with decorative works by Diehl, Barbedienne, Levillain, Houbedine and Servant as well as figural works by Carrier and Lemaire.

The tripod stand of the present lot with its lion heads, stylized palmettes, paw feet and loop handles is very similar to a model of a two-handled urn by Servant, which he exhibited in the 1867 exhibition. The model was highly praised in the Jury reports by Jules Mesnard, "La forme générale et les détails sont d'un caractère d'un goût parfaits, et portent ce cachet qu'on retrouve aux meilleurs ouvrages que nous ait légués l' Antiquité et notamment Pompéi, qui était romaine, mais dont bein des vases étaient du Grec le plus pur ... Ce vase de Bacchus est tout en bronze."  The model was illustrated in the Art Journal, 1867, p. 20, illustrated, Jonathan Meyer, Great Exhibitions: London – New York – Paris – Philadelphia, 1851-1900, Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club Ltd., 2006, p 176, fig. E12.  Cf.a pair of urns of this model sold in these rooms, October 22, 208 lot 65.

Georges Émile Henri Servant (1828-c.1890) succeeded his father at his foundry in rue Vielle-du-Temple and specialized in the Egyptian revival style and the rapidly growing goût Grec.  He also collaborated with Emile Hébert on revival pieces. A fine table on which they worked together was sold Sothebys London, February 26, 1999, lot 205. He retired some time before the Paris Exhibition of 1889.

Tiffany's, founded in 1837 by Charles L. Tiffany and John P. Young and located at 550 Broadway in 1853, moved to new premises on Union Square in 1870.  The Union Square store was hailed as the most magnificent and largest jewelry palace in the world, where Tiffany not only sold its own goods, but also those of the finest craftsmen from all over the world.  Besides Tiffany's New York flagship store, Tiffany's had a store in Paris, which opened in 1850 at 79 rue Richelieu, relocating to the Place de l'Opéra in 1910.  The base and possibly the figure of the present lot appear to have been commissioned by Tiffany from a French bronzier, probably Servant.  The way in which the hands of the clock are driven is different from typical mystery clocks, where it is not clear how the hands are driven.  In this case, the wheel work of the hands is contained in the central part of the dial and is driven by a small pivot activated by the oscillation of the pendulum thus moving the hands without any connection to the the 8- day movement with deadbeat escapement, which drives the pendulum through a crutch.