Empire period clock; France, circa 1810. Mercury gilt bronze. Precise setting. Measurements: 47 x 36 x 14 cm. Table clock from the Empire period, made of gilt bronze and conceived as a free-standing sculpture standing on an elaborate stepped pedestal. The base is smooth and prismatic, with smooth edges that reveal the Empire heritage, and has turned feet. The intermediate step, more of an ornamental moulding than an independent area, is covered as a frieze by relief ornamentation alternating cups with musical instruments, very typical neoclassical motifs. The upper area has a prismatic design with clean geometric forms. At the top is a sculpture depicting a young man with a naked torso, holding a rose and winged in such a way that he can be identified as cupid. In the lower area, his foot brushes against a crown on which lies a torch, while his hand rests on the clock case, which has black Roman numerals and openwork hands.