Charles X period ormolu and malachite mantel clock

This superb mantel clock was crafted during the period of Charles X in the distinctive Neoclassicism of that age. The clock is wrought from malachite and ormolu—the malachite being a later, beneficial addition.

The clock features a stepped malachite base, the lower step raised by four feet, the two front feet moulded with wonderful scrollwork and terminating in winged paws. The front of the upper step of the base is set with a centrally placed ormolu mask of Apollo flanked by twin assemblages of scrolling acanthus leaves and loosely tied ribbons.

A large sculptural group surmounts the malachite base, with the square-profile clock drum set to the centre. The clock drum contains a circular ormolu dial inscribed with Roman numeral hour indices and is encompassed by a foliate wreath.

The most striking aspect of the clock—as is usually true of all Charles X period pieces—is the large sculptural group that surrounds the clock case. The present group is comprised of two figures: Paris and Helen of Troy, two central figures in Homer’s epic Iliad. The figures are wrought in a refined and elegant Neoclassical manner and are crafted with utmost skill, the group being a work of art in its own right.