A fine French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze figural mantel clock Unsigned, in the manner of Jean Andre Reiche, Paris, early 19th century The circular eight-day two train countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum incorporating silk suspension, the circular white enamel Roman numeral dial inscribed a Paris to centre and with gilt moon hands within an engine-turned bezel, the case with surmount finely modelled as a female figure in Empire dress standing at her dressing table adjusting an oval swing mirror with jewellery and fabrics to the table top raised over stylised foliate decorated frieze and legs formed as winged female terms over tapered uprights, the base of architectural plinth form with tablet upstand over moulded cornice and butterfly populated raised gilt square border around the dial with twin griffin and flaming torchere applied patinated bronze panel beneath, flanked by full-height panel pilasters decorated with laurel wreaths over further elaborate winged female terms, the sides with recessed arched panels applied with mounts cast as stylised torcheres onto a patinated background, on moulded skirt base with compressed bun feet, 46.5cm (18.25ins) high. The current lot is of particularly pleasing form with the surmount finely modelled with a figure in mid action interacting with faithfully modelled details in the table and accessories which forms an effective contrast with the formal architectural nature of the base. It is likely that the subject is Venus at her toilet which was a popular subject at the time. The faithful 'real life' nature of the modelling of the figural element is reminiscent of the work of Jean Andre Reiche (1752-1817) whose two best known models 'the Liseuse' and 'the Evening Prayer' are illustrated in Niehuser, Elke FRENCH BRONZE CLOCKS on pages 86 and 165 respectively. Elke, on page 185, also illustrates an interesting figural clock which he titles 'Antique Library'; this clock is noteworthy in that it shares many strong stylistic similarities with the current lot. In particular the scaling of the figure and the modelling of the details such as the table are so alike to that seen on the present clock that it would be reasonable surmise that both most likely originated from the same foundry. Unfortunately Elke does not provide any attribution as to the designer of the foundry responsible for the 'Antique Library'.