An unusual French crystal and ormolu mantel clock from the 2nd Empire or Napoleon III period. Of temple form it is set upon a circular ormolu base profusely decorated with concentric circles of stars and forget-me-not flowers and supported by four mythical female winged figures ( Harpies). Four fine and perfect columns of crystal supported on ormolu bases and surmounted by ormolu capitals hold up the ormolu pediment which is decorated with concentric circles of anthemion and leaf decoration. Above the pediment is a fine dome of cut crystal upon which stands a ormolu "baiting" eagle above sword, canon and oak leaves and acorns with an ormolu military medal to the front. The dial is ormolu and enamel on copper of annular form with blued steel hands of Breguet form. The movement is of 8 day duration striking the hours and halves on a bell and regulated by a steel suspended pendulum. The bob of the pendulum is a well cast head of a male, perhaps Apollo within a circle and with ivy leaves above, Original gilding and with no repairs to the crystal. France circa 1890. Height 20 inches and diameter 8 inches.