Gilt bronze mantel clock, France, Empire period

Featuring the Allegory of Night as a female figure with a cherub seated on the parallelepiped case with white enamel dial, two winding holes and Roman numerals, signed Bailly; on the right side a small dog rendered in the round. Rectangular base engraved with neoclassical motifs with green marble plinth; flattened ball feet, 44x33.5x14 cm (dial slightly chipped).

Bailly was one of the most important Parisian clockmaking families at the beginning of the 19th century, probably a dynasty already active during the second half of the 18th century. Their workshop was located in Rue de la Loi (today Rue de Richelieu) and quickly became renowned for the quality of its clocks, receiving the title of "Horloger de LL. MM. II. et RR." (Clockmaker to Their Imperial and Royal Majesties), serving Emperor Napoleon.