A Late French Empire Mantle Clock Depicting Faustulus Discovering Romolus and Remus

The highest quality late French Empire/Charles X mantle clock in terms of bronze casting, chasing, and gilding. The partially clad figure of Faustulus leans into a rocky outcrop peering down into the startled face of the she-wolf Lupa who is suckling two young baby boys. The figures are cast in patinated bronze and they sit on a rectangular griotte marble base richly decorated with gilded bronze moldings. The two front feet are cast as lions heads amoung fascia and cornucopia; across the front of the base is large gilded bronze plaque showing many signs of imperial Rome, ie. armor, spears fascia, incense burners etc. The clock dial is housed in the rocky outcrop on which Faustulus stands. The white enamel dial with Roman numerals for the hours is housed in a gilded bronze bezel. The silk string suspension movement rings the hours and halfs on a bell. Made in France circa 1825.

In Roman mythology, Faustulus was the shepherd who found the infant Romulus, the future founder of the city of Rome and his twin brother Remus along the banks of the Tiber River. The babies were being suckled by the she-wolf, Lupa. According to legend, Faustulus carried the babies back to his sheepfold for his wife Acca Larentia to nurse them. Faustulus and Acca Larentia then raised the boys as their own. Romulus later killed King Amulius of Alba Longa and his brother Remus before founding the city of Rome “in the place where they had been raised.

Dimensions: 20.5″W x 25″H x 7.5″D