A FRENCH EMPIRE ORMOLU AND PATINATED BRONZE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCKTHE DIAL SIGNED FOR LEPAUTE, PARIS, 19th CENTURYFitted with a circular eight-day two train countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum incorporating Brocot type regulation to spension and stamped with ..Japy Fils, Medaille d'argent, 1844 1849 roundel over number 283, the circular white enamel Roman numeral dial inscribed LEPAUTE A PARIS to centre and with blued steel moon hands within a milled bezel, in a case modelled with a patinated bronze figure of Ze cradling the infant Bacch stood beside a tree stump adorned with fruiting vines and a crooked staff, the rectangular plinth base applied with mount cast with fine triple fruiting swag decorated baton beneath an urn with serpent handles to fascia, over stylised lot leaf cast ogee moulded skirt base over rosette and scroll cast bracket feet, (case and dial probably circa 1810, the movement later). 50cm (19.75ins) high, 35.5cm (14ins) wide, 16cm (6.25ins) deep.The current lot is cast with Ze holding his infant son Bacch (or Dionys) who was a product of his affair with Semele. Ze killed Semele by revealing his true form (a bolt of lightning) and Bacch came forth from Ze's thigh. Ze took the infant who, despite being half mortal, was considered a god. Bacch represented fertility, wine and hedonism and travelled with his followers of Maenads, Satyrs, and the drunken portly Silen.