Antique French Empire "Genre" mantel clock "La Ruche" in patinated bronze and ormolu. A superb example of this very rare little clock. The ormolu and the patinated bronze is of the very highest quality and in almost unmarked condition. This particular model rarely appears upon the market and when it does is often in indifferent condition. The clock stands upon four ormolu bun feet but the base is hexagonal in form, with a further hexagonal moulding. The main body of the hive is in patinated bronze and its cylindrical form is reeded, with the movement and dial inserted into the centre. Between this “body” and the base is a circlet of ormolu rope-work. The roof of the beehive is thatched with reeds and these are represented in ormolu. The twist to the top of the thatched roof forms a little turret on which can be seen a single ormolu bee at rest. Below the dial can be seen the ormolu entrance to the beehive with a bee entering. Around the entrance are fixed several other ormolu bees, some walking with their wings at rest while others are just landing or alighting and have their wings working. The white enamel convex dial is surrounded by a fine ormolu bezel decorated with beading ( sic) and amthemions within arches. The hours are marked in black with Roman numerals while the minutes are marked at every quarter in Arabic numerals. The hands are hand cut and very finely finished gilt bronze. The design of the clock is very much a French Empire theme. The bee was Napoleon Bonaparte’s signature and emblem, found on personal furniture, paintings & everyday objects. He saw the French Nation in the form of a beehive where everybody worked to a single aim, the good of the country and of the Nation. To him this was indivisible, for the Nation to prosper so had the people and the people had to work together for the common cause…..la ruche represente une communaute, le people de France, travailleur, organise, producteur de richesses. C’est l’union dans le travail, la justice et la securite d’avoir un toit, une maison”. Les Heures Revoltionnaires. Droz. pp 332. The movement is of eight day duration striking the hours and halves on a bell by means of a countwheel and regulated by means of a silk suspended pendulum. 13.5 inches high by 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep ( 33.75 cm by 15 cm by 15 cm). France Circa 1805-10. The clock is illustrated in Kjellberg's “ Encyclopedie de la Pendules Francaises pp. 435.