Neoclassical style gilt bronze mounted glass and marble mantel clock

Neoclassical style gilt bronze mounted glass and marble mantel clock
French, c.1880
Height 55cm, width 24cm, depth 18cm
 
This French mantel clock is designed in an elegant Neoclassical style, after the decorative arts of the Louis XVI period (1754-1793). This clock will look beautiful placed on a mantelpiece, or in some other prominent position in a well-furnished interior.
 
The most notable feature of the clock is the beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) sculpture of a winged putto that tops it. The putto is depicted semi-nude, leaning forwards to play a cello. His eyes are closed, making him appear completely absorbed in his music. The putto sculpture stands on a rectangular glass clock case, which features a circular white enamel dial at its centre, signed ‘A Paris’. The glass case is gracefully decorated with gilt bronze mounts, taking the form of a ribbon bow, flower festoons, and leafy scrolls with Gallic rooster heads. The clock case is set on a rectangular white marble base, which is mounted with a gilt bronze openwork scrolled flowering vine. The base is set on four gilt bronze beaded toupie feet.