Large ormolu and malachite three-piece clock set by Picard

This fine Napoleon III period clock set is comprised of a central mantel clock and a pair of flanking en suite candelabra. The set is crafted from malachite and ormolu, or gilt bronze—with the malachite veneer being a later, beneficial addition.

The mantel clock features a malachite body with scrolled, buttress-form sides, raised above an ormolu step base moulded with panels of scrolling foliage. The malachite case is set to the centre with a dial comprised of ormolu hour indices, the dial flanked by pierced ormolu mounts of scrolling foliate forms. The malachite base supports a large an impressive ormolu sculptural group, depicting two classicised maidens, one of whom kneels and the other stands. The figures, dressed in light robes reminiscent of ancient Greek ‘wet drapery’, are superbly rendered, with naturalistic postures and countenances.

The en suite candelabra are decorated in a conforming manner, each featuring a matching base that supports an ovoid vase-shaped body mounted with twin handles. This vase supports the candelabrum head, each of which issues nine lights.

Each of the three pieces is stamped to the ormolu ‘H. Picard’.

Clock: Height 72cm, width 46cm, depth 27cm
Candelabra: Height 78cm, width 31cm, depth 30cm