France, Louis XVI period
White marble, chased and gilt bronze
Enamelled dial signed Tavernier à Paris
This clock rests on six small spinning tops chased and gilt bronze feet, in foliage, that support the oval marble base, with different levels, slightly protruding and with grooves, close to the terrace.
This part is adorned with a pierced and gilt bronze frieze decorated with foliated and flowery scrolls running all around the piece and inscribed between two strips. On the first recess, there is a belt of two twisted cords and, higher up near the groove, a row of pearls.
On a small rectangular counter base with concave angles bordered by another row of smaller pearls rests an imposing moulded ovoid vase on a pedestal. The vase is flanked by two chased and gilt bronze Graces, each standing and bare, partially covered by a drapery. Their hair is embellished with pearls and flowers. The lower part of the vase is decorated with alternating radiant patterns of candles and flutes. The figures extend their arms towards a winged putto that lies on simulated clouds at the top of the vase, from which two large garlands of flowers and foliage escape on either side, next to a torch burning among other stylised clouds.
In the centre of the vase is the dial signed by Tavernier à Paris, inscribed in a chased bezel indicating the hours in Arabic numerals by two pierced and gilt bronze hands.
The pedestal is adorned with a leafy heart-grape frieze resting on a rectangular base with a gilt bronze plinth. On the floor, on either side of the marble section, rest an arch and a quiver as well as a flaming torch and a wreath of flowers.
