Mantel Clock with Two Vestals Carrying an Altar of Sacred Fire

A magnificent patinated bronze and ormolu mantel clock, depicting a stretcher bearing a triangular altar decorated with rams' heads and the sacred fire; the altar carried by two Vestals resting on a white marble base decorated with a frieze representing children playing with a goat, flanked by figures of Calliope and Urania; all carried by four leopards.

This is a celebrated bronze model by Thomire. Marie- Antoinette had at least one copy of this clock, topped with Sèvres porcelain plaques and described in the inventory of her clocks made in 1793, which is now in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. The origin of this model can be traced back to an engraving by Hubert Robert, inspired by a fragment from ancient Rome.

In ancient Rome, the Vestals or Vestal Virgins were the priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The Vestals and the security of their temple were regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome. They cultivated and protected the sacred fire that was not allowed to be extinguished.

Calliope was the muse of eloquence and epic poetry and Urania was the muse of astronomy.