A stunning Empire clock of Amor /cupid carrying a laterna magika or magic latern on his back. The mercury fire gilded ormolu is entirely original and in fantastic condition. The striding Cupid, using his bow as a walking stick, and with hand painted enamelled eyes, on an oval patinated bronze base with classical frieze and raised on birds claw feet. The 8 day movement, with outside countwheel and silk suspension, strikes the hour and half hour. The extremely fine convex, white enamel dial is signed Z. Raingo a Tournai. Zacharie Raingo is thought to have been apprenticed in Paris around 1790. He moved to Belgium around 1795, and worked in Tournai around 1806 and in Ghent in 1810. The case, which takes the form of a magic lantern, or laterna magika, has a beaded bezel, and is highly unusual, and is surmounted by a flaming torch pierced with stars and hearts. Amor/cupid is pointing to the magic lantern, perhaps suggesting that time or love is an illusion. An almost identical model can be seen in 'French Bronze clocks' by Elke Niehuser pp 129. Another similar mode, but with a patintaed bronze cupid can be seen in Pierre Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la Pendule Française du Moyen Age au Xxe Siècle pp.447. During the late 18th century, magic lantern shows, performed by travelling lanternists had become very popular. Magic lanterns were invented around the mid 17th century, as an early form of slide projector. An extremely fine and interesting clock, in superb condition. French circa 1806