Mantel clock 1840 - 1850

This bronze and marble mantel clock, crafted by Honoré Pons between 1840 and 1850, features a dramatic scene of three figures. A mother cradles a young child while a winged angel stands behind them in a protective gesture. The piece is mounted on a base of black marble with gilded bronze accents, including a clock face at the center. The clock exemplifies the French taste for ornate and sentimental subjects popular in the mid-19th century. This piece, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, embodies the intricate artistry and craftsmanship of French decorative arts during this period.