Lot 90

French, Height 650 mm, circa 1800
An opulent, decorative Directoire lyre mantel clock with half hour / hour strike for the Chinese market
Case: firegilt bronze, the lyre case decorated with paste stones and opal, cast with acanthus and eagle heads, surmounted by the sunburst head of Apollon. Dial: enamel, paste stone decorated bezel. Movm.: circular brass full plate movement, 2 barrels, 1 hammer / 1 bell, pinwheel escapement, silk string suspension.
The lyre is known as a common attribute of Apollo, whose head surrounded by rays of light forms the top part of the piece. The ornamentation with symbols of the sun-god suits the character of the clock. The gilt base sits on four bun feet and is decorated with an exquisitely detailed relief scene with putti and a billy goat among grapevines and leaves.