19c French Mantle Clock Joan Arc France Flag

Outstanding original 19th century French mantle clock signed Rullony on the base of the figure also marked France on the back of the figure which depicts a fantastic high relief rendition of Joan d'Arc in full Medieval knight battle rettagliata with her helmet and gloves on the ground, flag in hand and the other hand fearlessly usuring her followers to fight for mother France. The plaque reading, "Pour la France Por O. Ruffony" which translates: "For France by O. Ruffony". The gilt metal sculpture is surmounted on a rouge marble base raised by four high relief acanthus feet. The enamel dial clock with Arabic numeral hour designations and spade and forked hands. The is some damage to the dial near the right key hole. Overall the clock is in excellent condition the gilt finish is also 100% original (not repainted) with very few and tiny wear spots. The removable flag has an old stress fracture in the middle of the shaft, the flag was never broken. The clock keeps excellent time and richly chimes on the half and on the hour. Pendulum and key included. The clock measures 26.25 inches tall with the flag, the statue itself measures 17 inches without the flag and 18.25 inches with the flag. The clock base measures 12.5 inches wide and 6.5 inches deep. This clock would make an envious addition to any fine household or collection. Do not let this one get away! ****NOTE: Email for additional images.
 
Background: Joan of Arc, also Jeanne d'Arc (1412- 30 May 1431), is a national heroine of France and a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Many believed she had visions from God that told her to recover her homeland. Early in 1429 she convinced the uncrowned King Charles VII to give her a suit of armor and the permission to relieve the siege at Orleans. Initially treated as a figurehead by veteran commanders, she gained prominence when she lifted the siege in only nine days. After several other engagements and an important victory at Patay she led a bloodless expedition to Reims for Charles VII's coronation. This settled the disputed royal succession and recovered important territory. The renewed French confidence outlasted her own brief career. Wounded at an unsuccessful attempt to recover Paris, she participated in minor actions until her capture outside Compiagne the following spring.
 
Her Burgundian captors delivered her to the English; who selected clergymen to convict her of heresy. John, duke of Bedford had her burnt at the stake in Rouen. She had been the heroine of her country at the age of seventeen. She died at just nineteen.
 
Some twenty-four years later Pope Callixtus III reopened the case. The new finding overturned the original conviction. Her piety to the end impressed the retrial court. Pope Benedict XV canonized her on 16 May 1920.
 
Joan of Arc has remained an important figure in the collective imagination of Western culture. From Napoleon to the present, French politicians of all leanings have invoked her memory. Major writers and composers who created works about her include Shakespeare, Voltaire, Schiller, Verdi, Tchaikovski, Twain, Shaw, and Brecht. Depictions of her continue in film, in television, and in song.