Allegory to Triumph and Power

A figural gilt bronze French Empire clock, ‘Allegory to Triumph and Power’. A Roman emperor stands to the right of the central rectangular plinth housing the movement; atop the plinth is a helmet and laurel crown. To the left of the plinth rests a fasces, meaning “bundle” a bound bundle of wooden rods; sometimes including an axe with its blade emerging. The fasces had its origin in the Etruscan civilization and was passed on to ancient Rome where it symbolized a magistrate’s power and jurisdiction. An occasional variation on the fasces was the addition of a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory.

The lower section of the clock supports the above, and it has a frieze showing standing publican figures on either side of the emperor. The base is also decorated with fasces on each side of the frieze. The leafy bezel frames the gilded dial painted with Roman numerals, and the original eight day, silk suspension movement.

Dimensions: 20:H (51cm) x 14.5″W (37cm) x 5″D (13cm)