Charles X Mantel Clock, Gilt Chased Bronze With A Motif Of The Geographical Sciences & Reading

A piece from the very beginning of the 19th century, this beautiful mercury-gilt bronze clock from the First Empire period features a base adorned with chased columns and garlands, canopies, and an urn-like vase. It rests on four chased feet, and the gold dial, with Roman numerals painted in black, is guilloché within a border of blooming flowers. The blued steel hands indicate the hours, and the clock chimes with a beautiful, crystalline tone. The base is decorated with floral scrolls. On the side, a beautiful column surmounted by an elegant oil lamp with fine guilloché work; above, a blued bronze globe in its hooped base, accompanied by a compass and protractor, as well as a laurel wreath. On the droid, resting her right elbow on the bollard, an elegant lady in antique dress stands reading a book. She embodies the veneration of the Neoclassical period so fashionable during the First Empire. This highly decorative piece is in good working order and of great elegance... Preserved by time, its original gilding attests to this... A truly beautiful piece with significant decorative value