Meissen porcelain mantel clock after Kändler and Eberlein

The Rocaille style clock is composed of a parcel gilt white body, which is set on four scrolled feet. The front’s lower section is decorated with the Royal coat of arms of Saxony, contained within a parcel gilt cartouche. The sculptural, full-length figure of the goddess Peace (or ‘Pax’) and Mars, the god of War, stand on the clock’s feet. At the centre of the case, there is a circular clock dial, which features black Roman Numerals. The dial is set within a metal case within a parcel gilt white porcelain cartouche, which is covered with colourful modelled flowers. The clock case is mounted, on one side, with two porcelain sculptures, depicting semi-nude cherubs fighting over a royal orb. The other side is decorated with a sculpture of Flora, the goddess of spring, who holds a bunch of flowers, which she is about to scatter. A model of an Imperial eagle wearing a gold crown tops the clock dial. Above the case, there is a parcel gilt white pierced dome, which is surmounted by a sculpture of a seated woman. The woman is depicted blowing into a horn and balancing an open book on her lap.

The base of the clock is marked with the blue crossed sword marks of the Meissen factory, with the model number ‘452’ and impressed number ‘76’. The clock is based on an 18^th-Century model, designed by Johann Frederich Eberlein and Johann Joachim Kändler. Eberlein and Kändler were prestigious sculptors who were employed by the Meissen factory. Established in 1708, Meissen was the first to produce porcelain goods in Europe. These were highly sought-after by an elite clientele, not only in Germany but across Europe.