Object Description
French gilt bronze mounted marine themed automaton mantel clock
French, c. 1850
With glass dome and base: Height 90cm, width 70cm, depth 33cm
Clock without dome and base: Height 60cm, width 47cm, depth 20cm
This unusual clock is contained by a large glass dome above a marquetry inlaid wooden base. The clock itself is wrought from wood, bronze, and gilt bronze. The rectangular wooden case is inset to the front centre with a circular dial and is raised above the base by scrolled Rococo-style foliate feet. The clock case is further mounted with gilt bronze putti and garlands. The top of the case is set with bronze imitative of the sea, upon which two gilt bronze sailors and a ship are placed. The top functioned as an automaton, while the clock contains a musical movement. The piece is a highly unusual example of mid-19th Century French clockmaking.