Mantle clock

I bought this clock in about 1983, having spotted an advert in a shop window.

I tracked down the clock, saw it, and agreed to buy it at the advertised price of £35.
"Aren't you going to bargain."
"No, I said, I think it is worth the money"

"Oh well, you can have it for £30"

I wonder if I offered more, would the price come down even further?

It is made of Belgian slate, inlaid with green malachite.

The Belgian Congo (now The Democratic Republic of Congo) is/was a rich source of malachite so the whole structure makes sense.

Someone in the know, once dated it as late 19th century.

On a sadder note, the mimosa shown in yesterday's entry, became a victim of the turbulent relationship between Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin and now lies on the neighbour's garage roof!

So much for bending in the wind....