An attractive and unusual patinated and gilt bronze with white marble mantel clock of Atlas holding up the heavens. The theme is from one of the well known Greek myths when upon the defeat of the Titans in their war with the Olympians, Atlas was condemned to bear the heavens upon his shoulders. Set on a shaped white marble base rising to a reeded marble plinth with ormolu mounts. The massive bearded figure of Atlas in patinated bronze, wearing only a loincloth, stands upon the plinth with his head bowed from the weight of the gilt bronze globe. Set on the globe are separate hour chapters in Roman numerals indispersed with applied bronze stars. The hands are very well finished bronze hands of a serpent with licking tongue. Fine quality 8 day movement with lever escapement. French circa 1890.