A FINE FRENCH EMPIRE BRONZE AND SIENA MARBLE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCK OF IMPRESSIVE PROPORTIONSJACQUIER, PARIS, CIRCA 1825The circular eight-day countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum incorporating silk suspension, the backplate stamped JACQUIER, A PARIS over serial number 712, the 4.5 inch circular silvered brass Roman numeral dial signed Jacquier to the slightly recessed centre and with steel moon hand set within rosette decorated leaf-cast gilt bezel, the case with a standing figure finely cast as Orpheus wearing a laurel wreath and a cape and holding a lyre, stood next to a pedestal surmounted with urn draped with a cloth inscribed EURIDICE to waist, over tablet upstand, acanthus cast ogee cornice, dial and two tier repeating lotus leaf and anthemion cast skirt mouldings, the plinth base inset with a cast frieze of Orpheus attending the court of Hades and Persephone, on generous acanthus cast ogee moulded skirt base with lions paw front feet. 91cm (35.75ins) high, 63.5cm (25ins) wide, 21.5cm (8.5ins) deep.The present clock represents the legend of Orpheus who, after the death of his wife Euridice (from the bite of viper), pleaded her return from the underworld by venturing to the court of Hades and Persephone to sing for her life back. Deeply touched by his song they agreed but on the condition that Orpheus was to leave ahead of her and was not to look back until they had reached the surface. Alas Orpheus looked back before Euridice had cleared the entrance to the underworld causing her to be returned and lost from him forever.