Mahogany and gilt bronze Rococo pedestal clock, after Riesener

Mahogany and gilt bronze Rococo pedestal clock, after Riesener
French, late 19th Century
Height 225cm, width 50cm, depth 34cm
 
This exquisite gilt bronze mounted pedestal clock is the creation of the famed French clockmaker Paul Garnier (1801-1861). Garnier worked in Paris during the first half of the 19th Century, and won gold medals at the Paris exhibitions of 1844 and 1849. The Rococo style design of the clock is based on a model by the master 18th Century French maker Jean-Henri Riesener (1735-1806).
 
The body of the clock is made from mahogany and sits on gilt bronze paw feet, all set on a mahogany base. The front panel of the pedestal is decorated with ormolu mounts in the form of scrolling arabesques, with a classical face surrounded by sunbeams mounted above. Each corner of the pedestal is mounted with ormolu acanthus leaf decorations, and there is a panel of interlocking flowers on each side. The upper part of the pedestal is curved and features further ormolu decorations. Fine ormolu mounts showing three cherubs in clouds surround the clock dial, which is made from white enamel with black Roman numerals. The dial also bears a signature reading 'Garnier / A Paris'.