"la Toilette" Clock - Empire Period

A rare Empire-period clock made of finely chiseled and gilded bronze.
The clock features a bronze tub-shaped basin with a brown patina and a fluted rim. It rests on two claw feet. The basin is decorated with two butterflies and, on the sides, a mask of Apollo with butterfly wings.

The decoration is fully in keeping with the ornamental style of the Empire period, directly inspired by antiquity.
The scene depicts a young boy grooming himself, seated before a fountain modeled after ancient designs. He is washing his feet, holding a sponge and towel in his hands, and sitting on a stool in front of a mirror surmounted by a pediment adorned with a flame, a heart, a quiver, and a bow. Water from a fountain flows into a basin. The fountain is made of gilded bronze.
It is decorated with butterflies—symbols of the Empire period—and applied winged female heads, mythological figures whose
spread wings and hairstyles evoke the protective spirits of nature.

The shuttle-shaped base is accented by a frieze of hearts and palmettes, separated by arrows. It rests on four ball-shaped feet.
Original spring-driven movement, serviced by a clockmaker, with a balance wheel and winding key.