A fine Belle Epoque ormolu and white marble lyre clock, signed Camus, Fab’t. De Bronzes, Paris, circa 1900
22in [56 cm] H
Based on a late Louis XVI design, first made in blue Sèvres porcelain about 1790, the lyre clock enjoyed immense popularity at the end of the 19th century. The strings of the lyre form an elaborate pendulum suspended from a knife edge support behind the mask of Apollo. Carrying a ring of paste brilliants encircling the dial, it catches the light as it swings to and fro. In its revived form, it is a virtual copy of the original, but with improvements to the movement that made the clock thoroughly modern.
The lyre and base are now made of white marble rather than fragile porcelain. The gilt mounts and mask of Apollo closely follow the prototype in style and dimension. The circular movement has an anchor escapement and rack striking for the hours and half hours. The winding holes have collets to protect the dial from chipping.
The white enamel dial is painted with an attractive garland of floral swags to enhance the arabic chapters. The gilt hands are pierced in the form of lyres.
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