BRONZE MANTLE CLOCK, CUPID WITH ROOSTER. BRONZE, MARBLE. POSSIBLY FRANCE, LATE 19TH CENTURY.

Table clock. Gilt and blued bronze, marble base. Possibly France, late 19th century. Working. Table clock with Paris machinery in working order that has a rectangular light marble base with the front slightly forward to allow space for the clock case. It has a white dial, Louis XVI type hands and Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals five by five for the minutes. This part is sheltered in a golden marble pedestal, which has a base of Greek fretwork resembling waves, a laurel wreath and, on the sides, some books, an overturned vase with flowers and an arch; above, plant elements and a bow. In the upper part there is a gilt bronze rooster, and, holding the animal, appears a cupid (note the bow that would link him to the god of love Cupid) or a blued bronze cherub, thus creating a marked contrast. A few examples similar to the present one are known in European private collections, since it was a highly prized model of which the French workshops specialized in this type of piece created some variants for watchmakers who requested them. There is also another model without a rooster and with the angel lying down, very similar to the present one, of which porcelain examples created in Meissen are also known.

· Size: 35x15x40 cms