A FINE THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY FRENCH CARRARA MARBLE AND BRONZE FIGURAL CLOCK GARNITURE BY AUGUSTE-MAXIMILIEN DELAFONTAINE (1813-1892) the marble plinth base surmounted by a large bronze figure of the Diana de Gabies after the Antique sculpture by Praxiteles, on a rectangular base stamped 'A*D' for Delafontaine, the clock case with ormolu reliefs of classical figures, with a blu de roi enamel dial with gilt numerals and signed in gilt lettering 'DELAFONTAINE A PARIS', with gilt Breguet style hands, the twin barrel movement striking on a bell, with pendulum, the garniture lamps modelled as classical maidens holding twin handled urns on their heads, each drilled for a lamp base, raised on matching bases and both stamped 'A*D', and signed 'LVE ROBERT' the sculptor Louis Valentin Elias Robert (French, 1821-1874), the clock 92cm high, the lamps 54cm high (3) The Delafontaine bronze factory was first established in the late 18th century by Jean-Baptiste-Maximilien Delafontaine (b.1750). A highly respected firm, they were involved in the decoration of the Louvre after the fall of Napoleon, producing bronzes and other fine adornments. By the third quarter of the 19th century the company was under the direction of the grandson of the founder, Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine, and by 1870 the firm was located 10 Rue de L'Université. The company took on a wide range of work, from designing complete clock sets such as the present example, to casting bronzes by many of the foremost sculptors of the day such as James Pradier, Francois Rude and Antoine Louis Barye, They were also involved with restoring both ancient and Renaissance works and produced bronze casts after ancient marbles. The present lot which includes a bronze cast of the ancient 'Diana de Gabies' is therefore typical of their work, as it also incorporates sculpture from a well known artist of the day, LVE Robert.  Auction comparable: For a similar large sculptural clock set by Delafontaine see Christie's, London, 6 March 2014, lot 181, sold £37,500.