Important Neoclassical Clock: The Merchant Navy, Signed Bailly

A large Napoleon III period white marble and gilt and patinated bronze clock. An elegant female figure in patinated bronze, draped in the antique style and crowned with flowers, leans on an anchor decorated with gilt bronze ropes. The anchor is a symbol of stability and hope. This allegory of navigation or maritime trade symbolises prosperity and adventure at sea. The enamelled dial is signed "BAILLY à LYON" with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. The anchor suspension and striking movement bears a stamp on the plate: "VICENTI et &. silver medal", a distinction obtained at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, just as it obtained the Gold Medal in 1855. The base, with rounded and fluted sides, in Carrara marble is decorated on the front with foliage and surrounded by pearling; it rests on six sculpted skate feet also in gilt bronze.