A fine French Empire ormolu and antique marble vert mantel clock of "Astronomie" designed by Jean-Andre Reiche in 1807 and signed on the dial Fort a Paris. Set on four toupee feet the classically draped maiden representing Urania is sitting holders dividers at an globe with a star map behind her and a pile of text books before her. The case is decorated to the front and sides with applied ormolu stars and a fine ormolu mount of a cupid looking through an elaborate telescope. A fine version of a rare and popular clock. Superb original mercury gilding and very fine casting and chasing. Beautiful white enamel convex dial with outstanding cast and pierced gilt bronze hands. 8 day bell striking movement on a countwheel with silk suspended pendulum. 15 inches high by 12 inches wide and 4 inches deep ( 37.5 cms high by 30 cms wide and 10 cms deep). See ottomeyer & Proschell " Vergodete Bronzen" pp.375. Reiche often used women as the subject in clocks where learning or technology was involved indicating the feeling of emancipation for women in the new France after the revolution. France. 1807. Signed Fort a Paris for Henri Fort who Tardy has as wrking at the Rue de la Chaumiere in 1806 and the Rue Bourbon le Chateau between 1812 and 1817.