Magnificent and very rare French Directoire or Empire clock in patinated bronze and the finest highly worked ormolu. Set upon toupee feet below a rectangular ormolu base with applied ormolu mount to front. Lying upon the base are four very well cast and hand worked ormolu lions upon which stands the square patinated bronze clock housing. The very fine and large, clear, convex enamel dial with superb fire gilt cast bronze hands is surrounded by a magnificent cast and fire gilt bezel. In each spandrel corner is an applied ormolu mount of a palmette. To each side of the clock is a very fine applied mount of a crossed bow and quiver below a ribbon and with oak leaves. The best is last, the quite superb mount of a cupid riding on the back of a dog. Superbly cast and finished the cupid is of an early form and the dog is similarly well cast and finished with enormous care. The dog very unusually also has glass eyes. Mounts of this quality are rarely found on clocks and I have never seen this mount before and nor have I ever seen this particular model of clock. I think that it may be unique. It dates from at the very latest circa 1805. The movement is a fine large one, bell striking the hours and halves on a countwheel and regulated by a silk suspended pendulum. French circa 1795-1805. 20 inches high by 11 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep ( 50 cms by 27.5 cms by 11 cms). I have left the ormolu uncleaned as it is up to the new owner to decide if they want it cleaned or not, which will be done free of charge. The ormolu is as good as any that I have ever seen and I guarantee that when it is cleaned it will be absolutely mint.