Antique French Empire clock in fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze in a very rare form. The subject is that of "Hope overcoming despair". Set on a fine ormolu base with canted corners , six bun feet and applied ormolu mounts the trapezoid clock case is surmounted by a foundering ship, listing to starboard, with sails down and a broken mast. To the bow is a figurehead of a child with two fish tails. Set on the base to the left is the female in classical Empire dress representing Hope and to the right the figure of Cupid. Hope was the last remaining virtue remaining in the bottom of Pandora's box. She is connected with sea-faring and commerce as ocean voyages were undertaken in a spirit of hope. Thus there is the allusion through the anchor that lies between Hope and Cupid and connected by a chain. A most rare and unusual allusion. Fine applied mounts to the sides of the case, please see detail photo. Mint, perfect and original fire gilding. The white convex enamel dial with 15 minute markers and blued steel moon hands signed above 6 A Paris. The early movement with flat bottomed plates is regulated by a silk suspended pendulum and strikes the hours and halves upon a cast bell by means of a countwheel system. French circa 1805. See "Encyclopedie de la Pendule Francaise" by Pierre Kjellberg pp392 E for an identical but incomplete version of this clock. 18 inches high by 12 inches wide by 6 inches deep ( 45 cms by 30 cms by 15 cms