A fine and small French Empire dog clock. The oval patinated bronze base with fine beading and patterning, above sites the omolu case with superb guilloche patterns, above which rests the patinated bronze top. The quite superb ormolu base the dog stands on, which lifts to reveal the inkwell comapartment is wonderfully engraved with patterns, rocks and paths. The dog ( possibly a bull terrier) in patinated bronze is shown holding a gilt bronze basket in which is a watch movement. The dog's mouth is articulated to enable the basket to be fitted. The watch, front wind and with beautiful enamel dial and gilt bronze hands. The watch is an early fusee with superb backcock and steelwork, is signed Rob Allam, London and numbered 1720. A superb piece, Circa 1805. See 'La Pendule Francaise' by Tardy pp 301 for a similar model. 16cm High by 18.5cm Wide and 10cm Deep.