Louis XVI period malachite and ormolu mantel clock

This beautiful Louis XVI period mantel clock is of traditional form. The clock, which is crafted from malachite and ormolu—the malachite being a later veneer—is designed in an architectural manner. The rectangular base of the clock supports two shaped uprights, with the clock drum supported between. The front of the base is mounted with bas-relief moulded friezes of anthemia and is centred with a rosette set within a diamond. The clock drum contains a circular white enamel dial inscribed with Roman numeral hour indices and is contained within a moulded ormolu bezel. The bottom of the bezel is set with an elaborate pierced mount of floral sprays and wreaths, while beneath hangs the pendulum, which is adorned with an Apollo sunburst motif. The drum is surmounted by an ornate ormolu cornucopia finial, while each of the uprights is topped with an ormolu anthemion. The malachite uprights are mounted with a variety of classicising forms, including rosettes and palmettes.