Rhinoceros Figural Mantel Clock

An excellent animal-form figural clock by the acclaimed bronzier, Saint-Germain. Finely cast ormolu mounts, with a brown patinated life-like rhinoceros figure placed on an ormolu rococo gilt bronze base. The gilt-bronze drum case encasing the clock is adorned with a chinoserie figure holding an umbrella. The white enamel dial is signed Thiout the Elder.

During this period, bronziers used the figures of exotic animals, like elephants, lions, and boars, in mantel clocks. Rhinoceroses were of particular interest. Clara, a female Indian rhinoceros, toured Europe from 1741 to 1758 as one of the first rhinos seen there since Roman times and captivated audiences throughout the region. She set off a continent-wide craze for such creatures in art.