Antique French Mantel Clock Ormolu Chariot Gilt Bronze „chariot Of Telemachus “

Antique French Chiseled bronze and gilt mantel Empire style chariot clock. The magnificent case portraying the figure of Telemachus standing in his chariot which is being pulled by a pair of rearing patinated horses, at the front of the chariot is the head of a roaring lion and at the rear standing behind Telemachus is Athena, the warrior goddess wearing her helmet and holding in her left hand a shield cast with the head of Medusa and in her right hand a spear, the chariot and horses upon a rectangular base at each corner with upward projecting axe heads
The dial is set into the chariot wheel which has finely cast spokes. The movement is a silk suspension 8 day going and bell striking the hours and halves by means of a countwheel.

Like many important figural clocks created during Napoleon’s reign, this extremely fine bronze case tells the story of one of the ancient heroes whose valiant acts embodied the spirit of Napoleon’s own Empire. As such it illustrates the adventures of Telemachus, son of Ulysses and his beautiful wife Penelope. According to Homer’s Odyssey Telemachus was persuaded by the gods to go and search for his father after he failed to return home at the end of the Trojan Wars. Since Telemachus’s family tried to keep him at home, Athena, disguised herself as Telemachus’s old guardian named Mentor. Thus Telemachus is shown here riding his chariot, mounted with a lion head to symbolise Fortitude and overseen behind by Athena who wears her usual guise of a helmet and holds a shield and spear.

See Niehüser "French Bronze Clocks" pp 69, and “La pendule Française” by Pierre Kjellberg, page 417 under C.