This fine French malachite and ormolu turning mantel clock is beautifully modelled as an urn set atop a plinth with a cherub standing beside indicating the time.
This exquisite mantel clock is designed with a malachite case in the form of an urn, inset with a 360-degree turning circular (or cercle tournant) enamel dial. The dial is formed of two enamel bands of Roman and Arabic numerals, for the hours and minutes respectively, which rotate to show the time.
The clock case is mounted with twin ormolu handles modelled as intertwined serpents and is adorned with classical objects and motifs, such as a helmet, shield, and torch. The cover is fluted and surmounted by an acorn finial. Standing beside the clock case is a fine full length ormolu cherub figure with wings, draped in decorative motifs and reaching out with his right hand to show the time.
The case is set atop a square stepped malachite plinth mounted with ormolu rinceaux and beaded decorations to the lower part, and is inset with rectangular ormolu relief panels, finely cast to depict classical figurative river-god scenes.