“Napoleon’s Clemency Toward Madame de Hatzfeld.” An important, mysterious clock...

“Napoleon’s Clemency Toward Madame de Hatzfeld.” An important, mysterious clock in finely chiseled bronze, patinated and gilded with matte and burnished gold; the concealed movement is set within a pillar-shaped trumeau adorned with a mercury-gilded tin panel from which the hands and Roman numeral hour markers emerge. The green marble pedestal, resting on four claw feet, supports a sculptural group depicting Napoleon I asking Princess Hatzel to burn her husband’s letter proving his betrayal. The entire piece rests on a veneered wooden base fitted with two pull-out knobs for winding the clock and setting the striking mechanism. Circa 1830. H. 53, W. 45, D. 23 cm. Signs of wear and some missing parts.