Antique Louis XVI th mantel clock in ormolu and statuary white marble. On the left of the clock the figure of a maiden in classical dress with one foot raised upon a stool is facing away from Cupid on the right hand side of the clock but also looking back towards Cupid ruefully. Cupid can be seen kneeling on stylised cloouds and praying to the two turtle doves that sit upon clouds on the top of the clock. As the maiden seems to be looking back towards cupid his prayers seem to be working. The stepped white marble base is mounted with ormolu mounts recessed into the marble and with ormolu beading. The whole clock stands upon ormolu feet. The convex white enamel dial has asymetric winding holes a typical feature of an authentic Louis XVIth clock. The hands are typical of the period, beautifully pierced and gilt. The dial is covered by a glazed bezel. The dial is signed Schmit a Paris for Jean Nicolas Schmit, master in 1781 working at the Rue coquillere in 1783 and Rue du Coq St-Honore in 1789. The movement is of 8 day duration and strikes the hours and halves on a bell by means of a countwheel. The clock is regulated by means of a silk suspended pendulum. France circa 1785. 13 inches high by 13 inches wde by 5.25 inches deep ( 32.5 cms by 32.5 cms by 13.125cms).