Louis XVI period ormolu and malachite mantel clock

This fine Louis XVI period mantel clock is crafted from ormolu and malachite—with the malachite veneer being a later addition. The clock is architecturally formed, with a malachite plinth-form base raised on four ormolu feet, which supports four malachite columns with ormolu capitals and bases. The columns in turn support a shaped malachite entablature, which is surmounted by a malachite urn-form finial with rams’ head handles as well as four malachite vases with ormolu cornucopia tops. The entablature contains the clock drum, which features an ormolu bezel and a white enamel dial. The underside of the drum features elaborate pierced ormolu drapery, while beneath hangs an ormolu Apollo sunburst pendulum.

The dial is signed 'Lechopie Jne a Paris', for Léchopié & Sons. Adam Léchopié became a maître horloger (master clockmaker) on 10 January 1758, working from 67 rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs in Paris. He used cases supplied by important contemporary makers including Pierre-Philippe Thomire, François Vion, Robert Osmond, and Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain, among others. He was joined by his sons working from the same address, carrying on the business into the early nineteenth century.