19th Century French Art Nouveau Period Mantel Clock by Moreau

19th Century French Art Nouveau Period Mantel Clock by Moreau is a masterpiece of the style, rendered by one of France's most famous family of sculptors!  Although Louis Auguste Moreau (1855-1919) and Hippolyte Francois Moreau (1832-1927) were notable sculptors in their own right, they collaborated on several works of which this is one example.  Depicting the Roman God Neptune, called Poseidon by the Greeks, it displays the deity rising from the waves to quiet a storm, riding upon his giant clamshell chariot pulled by his faithful sea horses.  Rendered in spelter, it has been given a lovely multi-hued bronze finish, and provides an amazing artistic touch to the clockwork below, with hand-painted dial produced by Chevassu, a clockmaker that operated out of Lorient, Brest & Nantes.  Finished on all four sides, it was designed to rest on a mantel in front of a mirror, such that admirers could view it from all angles at all times.  Set upon a richly veined marble base.
The Art Nouveau style flourished between about 1890 and 1910 throughout Europe and the United States.  Art Nouveau is characterized by its use of a long, sinuous, organic lines and was employed most often in architecture, sculpture, interior design, jewelry and glass design, posters, and illustrations.
Note:  Intended for decorative purposes only, not for timekeeping.
Circa 1895
Measures 19.5H x 10.5W x 7D