Octagonal Clock on a Sculptural Pedestal

On a gilt brass base a silver putto straddles a skull and bears on its shoulders an octagonal clock with the cover in faceted rock crystal. The theme of the whole is the swift flight of time towards death. The refined sculpture has affinities with the bronzes of the Flemish sculptor Adrien De Vries (1545-1626).
Also notable is the large original leather case, modelled on the form of the clock.