Pedestal clock

This clock is one of five examples of this elaborate model. The flanking figures represent the four continents, Europe, Asia, Africa and America; above the clock Cupid aims his arrows at whosoever comes to tell the time.

Andr�-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (�b�nistes), gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing tortoise-shell and brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs. Boulle marquetry dropped out of favor in the 1720s, but was revived in the 1780s.