Antique ormolu and Sèvres style porcelain mantel clock

This ormolu (gilt bronze) clock is composed of an arched body which is set on a stepped rectangular base, on foliate and beaded turnip feet. The base’s upper and lower edges are fluted and decorated with acanthus leaves, and it is mounted with porcelain plaques within guilloche-patterned frames. The plaques are painted with colourful birds and flowers, set within parcel gilt borders, against ‘bleu celeste’ (turquoise) grounds.

The body of the clock is similarly decorated with painted porcelain plaques, framed by guilloche-patterned and bead-and-reel borders. The central parcel gilt, ‘bleu celeste’ plaque depicts a young boy in an Arcadian landscape, while the rest are painted with flower trails. At the centre of the case, there is a circular painted and parcel gilt porcelain dial, with black Roman Numerals, gilt Arabic Numerals and the maker’s signature, ‘Bertin A Paris’. This dial is set behind a glass lens with a beaded bezel.

Topping the arched clock case is a sculpture of a classical urn, its foliate handles draped with fruit swags. The urn is crowned by a finial which is composed of leaves and fruits.