French Neoclassical style fluorspar and ormolu mantel clock

This mantel clock consists of a stepped, oblong fluorspar base, upon which sits a circular, white enamel dial, which is set within a square fluorspar block and flanked by ormolu sculptures of a woman and two winged cherubs.

The narrow, oblong fluorspar base is raised up by ormolu toupie feet, and mounted with decorative ormolu friezes. The frieze set onto the front, stepped part of the base features classical relief images of cupids, while those on the side sections are pierced and are scrolling and foliate in character. As the block steps upwards, its edges are articulated with an ormolu band and beading. Above, there is a circular, white enamel dial, which features folite ormolu hands, Arabic numbers, with paintings of floral swags between them, and the name of the manufacturer, 'Lerron / Paris'. This enamel face is enclosed within a beaded bezel, and set within a square fluorspar block, with ormolu plant forms mounted in the four spandrels.

Flanking the clock, on the left-hand side, is the standing ormolu figure of a woman, dressed in a classical dress, which she lifts up to reveal her legs. A flaming urn is positioned to the left of the woman, near her feet. She tilts her head back, allowing her face to be caressed by the winged ormolu cherub that surmounts the clock. A second ormolu, winged putto stands on the right-hand shoulder of the clock, with a quiver of arrows and a bow at his feet. He peers around the side of the clock face, with a hand raised to his mouth in a gesture of surprise. It is possible that the woman depicted is Venus, the Goddess of Love, since she is often accompanied by winged cherubs, or her son Cupid, the god of erotic desire, in art.