Object Description
French antique gold, diamond, and ruby table clock
French, c. 1900
Height 8cm, width 12cm, depth 6cm
The clock is in gold in the form of a putto pushing a barrel-laden wheelbarrow. The putto wears a yoke over his shoulders set with diamonds, while the barrel is mounted with precious stones and fitted with a watch movement and features a gold dial to the end with foliate scrolls and Roman numerals. A dog with ruby eyes and a diamond collar runs alongside the wheelbarrow. The gilt movement is signed ‘Magnen, Paris’, and the model is mounted on a green hardstone base. The design for the clock is based on mustard pots made for Madame de Pompadour in 1750 by celebrated Parisian maker Antoine-Sebastien Durand.