IMPRESSIVE 8-DAY GOING, MANTEL-CLOCK; “LES FABLES DE LA FONTAINE”; GILDED BRASS AND SILVER

Impressive gilded brass and silver, keyless-winding, vertical rectangular-shape, large and heavy 8-day going mantel-clock.

The front of the cabinet shows the dial in the centre, surrounded by eight silver plates engraved with scenes from the Fables of Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695), a French poet of great renown, mainly for his Fables, one of the greatest masterpieces of French literature, and to a lesser extent for his tales.

From left to right and top to bottom:

1) The Two Pigeons (2nd fable from Book IX; 2nd collection, 1678)

2) The Raven and the Fox (2nd fable from Book I; 1st collection, 1668)

3) The Animals Sick of the Plague (1st fable from Book VII; 2nd collection, 1678)

4) The Cicada and the Ant (1st fable of Book I; 1st collection, 1668)

The Dial

5) The Lion and the Rat (11th fable of Book II; 1st collection, 1668)

6) The Fox and the Stork (18th fable of Book I; 1st collection, 1668)

7) The Hare and the Tortoise (10th fable from Book VI; 1st collection, 1668)

8) The Wolf and the Lamb (10th fable of Book I; 1st collection, 1668)

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