Mantel clock 1840 - 1850

This mantel clock was crafted by Honoré Pons in the nineteenth century. Its design is steeped in symbolic and historical weight. Atop the clock, we see a winged angel standing beside a mother and child, mirroring the Madonna and Child motif, a deeply rooted symbol of maternal love and divine grace. This configuration echoes across epochs, from ancient Egyptian depictions of Isis and Horus to Renaissance paintings of the Virgin Mary. The Madonna figure isn't merely a Christian emblem. She is a universal archetype, embodying nurturing, protection, and hope. The motif transcends its religious origins, tapping into the collective human psyche. Consider the gesture of the angel resting their head on their hand. In antiquity, this posture often signified melancholy or contemplation. As we observe this clock, let us recognize the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols, continually reshaped by the passage of time and the currents of human consciousness.