Cassolette clock. France, second half of the 18th century.

Cassolette clock. France, second half of the 18th century.
Gilded bronze and Blue John.
Measurements: 29.5 cm. height.

Eighteenth century French table clock. It follows the cassolette typology that was popular among the aristocratic classes of the Rococo period. The structure combines Blue John semi-precious stone, which provides a beautiful marbled finish, and finely chiseled and embossed gilt bronze with round sculptures and satyr masks. On a circular base bordered by a gilt-bronze embossed foliage border rests (on a blue John base) a pair of putti intertwining their bodies with branches of vine shoots. The sculptures form the foot of the oval body, which houses the clock face and features Roman numerals. A snake with a scaly body opens its jaws and its tongue takes the shape of the clock's water. The piece is topped by a fruit in gilded bronze.