French Mantel Clock Perrelet et Fils, Paris, late 19th century Bronze, marble, and porcelain 24 × 14 × 9 in.
This elegant mantel clock combines horological precision with neoclassical artistry. The finely cast bronze figures of the Three Graces—symbols of beauty, charm, and creativity—are attributed to the renowned fondeur Delafontaine, whose foundry produced many of the finest bronzes of 19th-century France. The movement is signed by Perrelet et Fils, successors of Abraham-Louis Perrelet, famed horologer to Napoleon III and credited with innovations in self-winding mechanisms. Set upon a richly veined marble plinth, the clock reflects both the technical excellence of Parisian watchmakers and the decorative refinement of the French Empire and later 19th-century taste.
