Large ormolu Rococo style clock set by Lerolle Frères

This superb Napoleon III period three-piece clock set is comprised of a central mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The pieces in the set are wrought from ormolu in the eclectic style that reigned during the period of Napoleon III, with the most obvious stylistic influence being the Rococo. The set is by Lerolle Frères, a leading producer of luxury bronze goods during the Second Empire period.

The mantel clock features an ormolu rocaille-form case centred with a spherical black tôle clock drum mounted with gilt Roman numeral hour indices and studded with gilt five-point stars in imitation of the night-time heavens. The ormolu case is wonderfully cast and pierced, with scrolling, flowing acanthus leaf forms predominating. The case is surmounted by an integral ormolu sculptural group of Psyche amidst three flying putti.

The flanking candelabra are similarly decorated, each featuring a Rococo style ormolu body moulded with rocaille forms. The stem of each is wrought to resemble a tiered trio of putti, while the foliate candelabrum head of each issues six scrolling light branches.

The clock movement is stamped ‘LEROLLE FRES A PARIS’.

Clock: Height 59cm, width 52cm, depth 23cm
Candelabra: Height 72cm, width 32cm, depth 20cm