C.1850, French, Marble and Gilt bronze mantel clock, same style as previous lot,

C.1850, French, Marble and Gilt bronze mantel clock, same style as previous lot, but a little later and more robustly made. The cousin to this clock may be seen in the book, European Pendulum Clocks, by Heuer-Maurice (1988), page 87. The 6 Egyptian columns are marble with ormolu mounts, finely detailed mid-eastern busts at the top of each tapered column and human feet at each base. The canister that contains the movement is supported by a marble plinth, but appears to be supported by two large winged sphinxes at the sides, the whole surmounted by a fantasy of 2 swans drinking at fountains, with Aurora at the apex. The well made bell strike movement has a blue and white porcelain dial, with 43 stars in the blue band; there is a hairline at 3 and a small repair at 9 (looks OK). An impressive clock. Height 23Ó $5,000-$6,000