A French Empire ormolu sculptural mantel clock, Ars Amatoria, circa 1800.

Description

Thierry à Paris

The 6-cm diameter enamel dial has Roman numerals and is signed Thierry à Paris. The pierced and engraved hands are made of gilt brass.

The movement

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The movement is driven by two spring barrels and has a duration of at least eight days. It is regulated by anchor escapement in combination with a silk suspended pendulum. The clock has half-hour striking by means of a countwheel on a bell.

Ovidius’ Ars amatoria

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The clock is mounted in an ormolu case shaped like an Empire chair. On it stands the preaching Amor cloaked in a hood with a flaming heart in his hand. On the opposite side, a woman kneels in front of a reading desk with a book inscribed; l’art d’amour d’Ovid (Ars Amatoria). The group stands on a base with canted corners and a relief on the front showing Amor feeding a butterfly. The whole is taised on four toupee feet.