Napoleon III period gilt and patinated bronze clock set

£65,000

This monumental three-piece clock set, wrought from gilt and patinated bronze, incorporates a variety of styles, including elements of the Rococo and the Neoclassical.

 

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Description

This magnificent and impressively large Napoleon III period three-piece clock set, wrought from patinated and gilt bronze (ormolu), is comprised of a central mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The entire set is richly detailed with decorative motifs drawn from several artistic styles, including the Baroque, the Rococo, and the Neoclassical.

The central mantel clock, the body of which is triangular in profile, is raised on four ornately scrolled legs. The ormolu body of the clock is cast with a variety of motifs: the edge of the base is wrought with an enlarged egg and dart sequence, the front of the body is gadrooned, while the edge of the top is cast with a foliate frieze. The clock dial is centrally placed, encompassed by a sculptural ormolu floral garland, the dial inscribed with Roman numerals on individual enamel cartouche plaques. The top of the ormolu clock body is surmounted by two large patinated bronze putti. Each putto, reclining languorously, is draped in fabric, his head wrapped by a wreath of laurels. The putti are especially finely cast and beautifully patinated.

The pair of flanking candelabra is similarly decorated. Each candelabrum is raised on an architecturally crafted ormolu base, lifted by four scrolled feet, the base cast with a variety of motifs including foliate friezes and Vitruvian scrolls. Upon each base is seated a patinated bronze putto, the putto holding a curving ormolu acanthus branch that serves as the candelabrum’s stem. Each stem is surmounted by thirteen lights, the branches ornately scrolled and wrapped with ormolu acanthus leaves and set in two tiers. Each branch culminates in a single candleholder, imitative of a flower bud, with drip trays cast to mimic beds of spread leaves.

Clock: Height 55cm, width 77cm, depth 31cm
Candelabra: Height 93cm, width 45cm, depth 45cm

Details

Country of Origin
French
Date of Manufacture
c. 1860
Period
19th Century
Style
Empire, Napoleon III
Material
Ormolu (Gilt Bronze), Patinated Bronze
Colour
Brown, Gold

Dimensions

Height
55 cm / 21.7 inches
Width
77 cm / 30.3 inches
Depth
31 cm / 12.2 inches

Reference:
15686

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