Large Pyramid Clock by Maison Balthazard, Paris, Early 19th Century

Large table clock housed in a pyramidal mahogany case, richly adorned with fire-gilt bronze mounts in the form of lion paw feet, rosettes, winged putti serving as atlantes on projecting pilasters, horae on pedestals, and crowning putti supporting a central torch. The porcelain dial features a sky-blue chapter ring decorated with gilt stars. It incorporates a calendar display with the date shown in Arabic numerals around the outer ring and the days of the week in red below, surrounded by astrological symbols. The time is indicated by two rotating drums with oval porcelain plaques positioned in the upper section, displaying the hours in Roman numerals and the minutes in Arabic numerals. The clockmaking firm Balthazard was active in Paris during the 18th and 19th centuries.