A striking and unique French early 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble and ormolu obelisk shaped clock. The clock is raised by a rectangular white Carrara marble base with a thick bottom ormolu band and superb richly chased fitted... — Read More

A striking and unique French early 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble and ormolu obelisk shaped clock. The clock is raised by a rectangular white Carrara marble base with a thick bottom ormolu band and superb richly chased fitted ormolu plaques with the front plaque depicting a bearded man laying outside draped in fur with trees and a ruin in the background and the side plaques depicting beautiful pierced palmettes. At the center are exquisite panther like sphinges flanking draped garlands and superb most decorative bucranium amidst stars at the center. The white enameled clock face displays elegant pierced foliate hands and Arabic hour markings framed within a mottled ormolu bezel. Leading upwards is a wonderfully executed fitted ormolu plaque of a beautiful richly chased maiden draped in flowing period attire throwing flowers into a smoldering urn with a charming winged cherub above, likely cupid, holding a bow and arrow in one hand a fabric garland in the other amidst sun rays. Perched above is the impressive and richly chased open winged rooster with finely detailed plumage and wonderful attention to detail. The origin of the use of a rooster as an emblem dates back to Ancient history and is now known as Le Coq Gaulois (the Gallic Rooster). In Latin, the word gallus means Gaul, but it also means rooster. With time, the French kings adopted the rooster as a symbol of courage and bravery. — Read Less