Chased and gilded bronze "L'Amour touchant la lyre" clock featuring Cupid pinching a lyre, encircling a white enameled annular dial with black Roman numerals signed (?) in Paris, centered by a rosette with daylight (slight wear to the gilding). It rests on an entablature supporting a torch and quiver, the quadrangular base applied with swans with outstretched wings bearing garlands of flowers centered on a candelabra and surmounted by butterflies. Butterfly-winged ball feet (one wing missing, lower end of bow missing). Model by Claude GALLE. Late Empire period. Height : 44 cm - Width : 31 cm - Depth : 13 cm Several similar clocks are listed in gilded bronze, such as the one shown here, or in gilded and patinated bronze. Of particular note is the one that appeared on the mantelpiece in Marechal Ney's bedroom in 1815, and the one preserved in Madrid, Patrimonio Nacional. Claude Galle (1759-1815) was one of the leading bronzemakers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His workshop employed some 400 workers, and he received numerous orders from the imperial furniture guard. After his death, his son continued the business. Bibliography : - Jean-Dominique Augarde, Les ouvriers du temps, Geneva, 1996, p.154, fig. 120 ; - Elke Niehüser, French Bronze Clocks, p.96 fig. 151 p.233 #753. Appraisal by Mr Cédric HÉNON - 06 95 34 93 78 - cedric.henon@authenticite.fr