Antique French Neoclassical style ormolu mantel clock

Antique French Neoclassical style ormolu mantel clock
French, early 19th Century
Height 70cm, width 45cm, depth 14cm
 
This ormolu (gilt bronze) mantel clock is a stunning piece of design, which features beautiful Neoclassical style low-relief decorations and three-dimensional sculptures.
 
The clock takes the form of a tall rectangular case with a circular white enamel dial near its top. This dial features black Roman Numerals and the maker’s signature, ‘Robin/ à Paris’. The dial is displayed behind a glass lens within a foliate bezel. The case is decorated in its upper corners with rosettes, and in the lower section with a stylised depiction of a swan. The case is topped by a sculpture of a wreath, propped up on a roll of paper or parchment. To the left of the case, there is a full-length statue of a man who wears a classical robe and holds a mirror. A lyre leans against the right side of the case.
 
The clock is set on a wide rectangular base which is decorated with a low-relief scene taken from the classical myth of Dido and Aeneas. This scene is set within a frame, composed of stylised palmettes and rosettes. The base is set on four scrolled feet, featuring leafy scrolled motifs enclosing rosettes.