Precious Time: Napoleon Bonaparte’s Pietre Dura Clock, 1804

Triumphal Arch Clock
Raffaelli and Breguet, 1804
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This magnificent clock wants to be studied. An impressive combination of various stones and gilt bronze, the clock takes the form of a Triumphal Arch of red and white antique marble with shimmering columns of amethyst topped by gilt bronze Corinthian capitals.


The two panels which flank the arch show micromosaic, pietre dure panels depicting military trophies. These pietre dure ornaments as well as other decorative inlays consist of amethyst, lapis lazuli, malachite, labradorite, jasper, agate, marble, and glass.

The whole of the clock case—designed by Giacomo Raffaelli—is surmounted by gilt bronze figures of Victory and Fame while the niche in the archway protects a statuette of Mars. Raffaelli and clockmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet worked together to create this gorgeous timepiece, hoping it would find its way into a prominent home. And, it certainly did.

Pope Pius VII had entrusted Venetian Sculptor Antonio Canova with the task of finding suitable gifts to present to Napoleon Bonaparte on the event of his coronation. The “Triumphal Arch Clock” (as it is known) was among the items selected by Canova for the occasion.

The Empress Josephine was said to have favored the clock and kept it as the centerpiece of her collection. Later, the clock was sold to pay off mounting debts. Purchased by Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde in 1976, the clock was added to their impressive collection of decorative arts—considered one of the world’s greatest such collections. Gilbert loaned the clock to the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1996 where it remains on loan to this day.