Empire Mantel Clock with Leonidas Figure
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An Empire ormolu mantel clock, the rectangular leaf moulded base centred with a trophy of arms, supporting the figure of Leonidas in a tunic and Phrygian cap brandishing a spear, the dial with Roman numerals in the form of his shield, leaning against an altar with his spears and plumed helmet, height 50 cm, width 43 cm, depth 13 cm. Provenance: Paris, France. Private Collection, Sydney
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- Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.
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