French Charles X mantel clock in very fine and original condition. Of massive contruction, being two or three times the normal weight for this design of clock with superbly cast and finished ormolu mounts. The clock design shows the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius sitting on the clock housing in full armour, cloak over his shoulder holding his crested helmet in one hand decorated with Amthemion and acanthus with his other hand resting upon his sword and scabbard with a beribboned wreath of forget me nots below. Marcus Aurelius is shown with curly hair and beard. The sub base is of convex and concave reeded patinated bronze and is set on huge bracket feet in ormolu of acanthus design. On these is a massive ormolu moulding of leaf and dart design. To the front corners of the base are further massive ormolu mounts again of acanthus with flowing ribbons to the side. Across the front of the base is a further very heavily cast swag, half of oak leaves and the other of laurel. The movement is of 8 day duration, striking the hours and halves on a countwheel with the original pendulum and movement numbered 54. The movement stamped Medaille d'or Pons 1827 and further stamped MB. The dial is of flat white enamel and black Roman numerals. Most unusually the clock has friction fitted ormolu bezels front and back. How these have not been lost over the centuries is a mystery. The clock has never been cleaned and the ormolu is quite superb. There are spots of dirt but these would fall away instantly during cleaning. Very, very original condition, untouched perfect ormolu, original friction fitted glazed bezels front and back, original numbered pendulum, a quite superb clock. France circa 1827-30. 21 inches high by 14 inches wide by 5 inches deep ( 52.5 cms by 35 cms by 12.5 cms).