Dolphin Fret

The figures of a grotesquely shaped, scaly fish with a large head and curved tail standing high above it, was a favorite motif in baroque decoration. Legs of tables and arms of chairs were frequently carved in this form, known as a dolphin and resembling the ocean fish, not the mammal, of that name. Dolphin frets may be seen masking the bell lantern clocks, and more often as supports on either side of the boss in arch-dial clocks. Like spandrel mounts, they are cast, chase and gilded, and attached to the dial with small screws.