Vaillant à Paris.

An extremely rare first Empire animated ormolu carousel clock by Vaillant à Paris. The exceptional elongated octagonal burnished ormolu case has numerous well-cast mounts that include dancing cherubs each blowing multiple horns, anthemion moldings, horse busts and opposing Griffiths set within acanthus inspired scrolls. Suspended from the fluted center column are three putti riding swans. They represent Hermes, Cupid and a Jester and above on the cross pieces are their relevant symbols – a caduceus, a flaming torch and a marotte. As the carrousel spins they are seemingly trying to spear the small ring attached to one of the decorative columns. The other column has a wreath and banner that reads ‘Prix du Vainqueur’. The whole sits upon a purpose made mahogany base.