An attractive French Empire ormolu and marble sculptural mantel clock of long duration, Robin fils, circa 1810

9.5-cm enamel dial with Roman numerals signed Robin fils à Paris, Breguet hands, movement of long duration with pinwheel escapement, countwheel striking on a bell, silk suspended pendulum, octagonal ormolu case on a Siena marble base with applied classical ormolu relief mounts, flanked by a well cast and chiselled bronze classical lady holding a book personifying Study, rectagular ormolu base with acanthus relief moulding on a green marble plinth raised on claw feet

The signature Robin fils refers to Jean-Joseph Robin, the eldest son of the famous Robert Robin. He continued the wokshop of his father and was recorded working between 1806 and 1812 at the Rue St-Honoré and later at the Rue Richelieu between 1815 and 1825. Lit.; Tardy, Dictionnaire des Hologers Français, pp.562.

A similar model was delivered to the Fontainebleau palace in 1810 by Lepaute oncle et neveu. It was put in the Principal bedroom of the newly constructed 'Cour du Cheval Blanc'.  It is mentioned in a inventory text of March 20th 1811 as being of exceptional quality.  Lit.; Musée National du Château de Fontainebleau, Catalogue des collections de mobilier, 1. Pendules et Bronzes d 'ameublement entrés sous le Premier Empire, cat. no. 20.