Louis XVI style clock, Napoleon III period. France, second half of the 19th century

Louis XVI style clock, Napoleon III period. France, second half of the 19th century.
Marble and mercury gilt bronze.
Dial signed and located in Paris.
Measurements: 72 x 55 cm.

Sculptural clock of Napoleon III period. Its architectural structure in white marble emulates the entrance of an imaginary temple and hosts sculptures in mercury gilded bronze inspired by Greek statuary. They simulate priests of the temple. They wear tunics of fine draped fabric that adjusts to the measurements of the body, highlighting the harmony of the forms. The marble pedestal has a frieze in bas-relief depicting love birds frolicking in a field. Two lions worked in rounded bulk top the towers, as guardians. The dial is of white porcelain with Arabic numerals and is ornamented with embossed and gilded floral cresting. Festoons and garlands in gilded bronze have been embossed with great attention to detail. A winged figure tops the whole. The dial is signed. Urns and floral offerings flank the figures. A mask with a flaming border tops the pendulum, evoking the solar god Apollo.