The pedestal-supported clock's flower-wreathed face is incorporated in a Grecian altar, that is dedicated to Pallas Athena and accompanied by a ewer and pattera standing on its temple-stepped plinth, while flowers are festooned from a corner acroteria. Inspired by Homer's Odyssey concerning the sack of Troy, the Greek hero Odysseus is represented with Diomedes bearing from the altar the Palladium or statue of Troy's protective goddess. Its griotte marble stepped pedestal is enriched with ormolu bas-reliefs depicting the sword-bearing Zeus, the Goddess' father, flanked by the earth goddess Cybele and the trident-bearing Neptune accompanied by their badges, symbolising the Elements of Earth and Water, and comprising a corn-trophy and spouting dolphin.

A related clock by Denière, with the figure of Odysseus standing alone and the ewer and patera placed on the altar, is illustrated in H. Ottomeyer P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 395, illus. 5.18.5, which was sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 10 July 1981, lot 207