Large French 19th Century gilt bronze wall clock with religious inscriptions

Large French 19th Century gilt bronze wall clock with religious inscriptions
French, 19th Century
Height 92cm, width 42cm, depth 19cm
 
This large, gilt bronze wall clock is a magnificent and highly unusual piece. At the centre of the design is a circular enamel dial, with Arabic Numerals, which is set within a gilt bronze case, with a lion’s head at its top, and shield contained within a cartouche at its base. The case is mounted onto pilasters, so it projects forward from the clock body.
 
The pilasters, which are set onto the arms of the piece, support a tall round arch. The pilasters have ball and trefoil drop-finials and are ornamented with strapwork motifs. The arch is decorated with chain-like patterns, which reduce in scale as they near the top, and with trefoil-pierced edges. A large bell, decorated with Christian figures, phoenixes, and passages written in Latin, hangs beneath the arch. Like church bells, this bell may have been used to call individuals to prayer.
 
From the clock case hangs a pendulum, which terminates in a sunburst motif. This is suspended before an elaborate, strapwork back panel.