This clock, known as 'The Font of Love', was purchased from a shop in Madrid on 2 June 1972.

The case of this gilded bronze mantel clock features a font or fountain. A woman seated on a stool in front of the fountain, with one foot on a footstool, stretches out her arm as if to pick something up. On the other side of the fountain there is a torch. Two dragonflies and two dolphins complete the decoration on the front of the fountain. On the tympanum, Neptune and Amphitrite lean on a vessel from which water is flowing. The plinth is adorned with relief plaques depicting winged horses and swans. It has lion's claw feet.

The dial is in white imitation-porcelain enamel with the hours in black Roman numerals. Gilded metal hands. Two winding holes.

It has a French two-train pendule de Paris movement with an eight-day spring-driven going train, anchor escapement and pendulum. And a striking train which sounds the hours and half hours.

Several similar clocks are preserved, one in the Patrimonio Nacional. By comparison with them, we know what the missing figure on the case of this clock would have looked like. It is a Cupid offering a cup to the woman. In other models, he holds a jug in his left hand.

The theme of this clock is Love. The figure providing this symbolism is Cupid. In addition, the fountain is adorned with newts, swans, dolphins and dragonflies.

Tardy lists Jacques-Claude Martin Rocquet at an address on Rue Grenelle St-Honoré, Paris between 1800 and 1817.

Amelia Aranda Huete