Table clock; Napoleon III, ca. 1870.
Gilt bronze and porcelain plates.
No key.
Paris movement.
Needs to be tuned.
Measures: 43 x 52 x 14 cm.
Table clock from the Charles X period, made in gilded bronze and conceived as a free-standing sculpture standing on an elaborate stepped pedestal. The base is set on four legs, two at the back in the form of a chamfered ball, and the front legs are more ornamented with acanthus leaves at the top. The lower part is ornamented with a profusion of elements inspired by classical tradition, such as the symbol of the god Hermes, like the staff and the two intertwined serpents, as well as four porcelain plates arranged symmetrically, with a garland in the lower part, while the upper ones show a little angel. In the central part of the body is the clock case, with Roman numerals in black. Above the perimeter case with a garland is a sculpture depicting a woman crowned with a laurel, leaning on an anvil. The presence of this element, in addition to the wheel and the bundle, indicates that the lady represents an allegory of work.