Neoclassical clock in the form of lyre with bejeweled pendulum Louis XVI style. France, ca. 1860

Neoclassical clock in the form of lyre with bejeweled pendulum Louis XVI style. France, ca. 1860.
White marble and yellow Carrara marble, gilt bronze.
Dial signed "Lenoir Paris".
Engraved in Paris and numbered 1686 on the mechanism. Original gilding. In working condition.
Unusual size.
Measurements: 76 x 30 x 20 cm.

French 19th century lyre-shaped clock of incredible quality, made of white and yellow marble, decorated with gilt bronze leaves and garlands, draped garlands and acanthus leaves, and surmounted by a gilt bronze classical mask surrounded by sun rays. From the classical mask descend gilt bronze lyre strings, which join the pendulum ring of glittering crystals surrounding an enameled dial with Arabic numerals and garlands of hand-painted polychrome flowers. Both the lyre and the finely molded gilt bronze radiant sun crowning the clock are symbols of Apollo, the sun god who oversees the passage of time and also references the Sun King, Louis XIV. The white Carrara and yellow marble body sits on an oval base on four gilt bronze legs, and the clock is adorned with draped garlands and laurel wreaths.