Louis XVI style gilt and patinated bronze malachite clock set

This ormolu (gilt bronze) and patinated bronze mounted malachite three-piece clock set comprises a central mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The central clock, the body of which is elongated in shape, stands on six ormolu foliate bun feet. The malachite base of the clock is tiered architecturally and is mounted with an encompassing ormolu foliate frieze. The base is surmounted by the ormolu clock drum, which takes the form of natural ground: the ormolu has been textured to imitate the appearance of a grass-covered and leaf-strewn hillock.

The clock drum is asymmetrically mounted: on one side, an ormolu branch rests against the drum, while against the other side a patinated bronze putto leans in a torpor. This bronze putto, which is intricately cast and artfully patinated, sleeps with a grape-laden wreath around his head and an empty ormolu wine cup held precariously in his hand. The Bacchic implication is clear: the over consumption of wine leads to drunken slumber.

The pair of flanking candelabra is similarly decorated. Each candelabrum sits on a conforming base, upon which is mounted an ormolu element that imitates, like with the mantel clock, the appearance of natural ground. Kneeling upon this imitative ground, the stem of each candelabrum is formed from a patinated bronze putto holding a torch. The seven ormolu branches of each candelabrum emerge from this torch, the branches scrolling ornately and bedecked with grape forms—grapes further emphasising the Bacchic connotations of the putti.

The white enamel clock dial is inscribed with Roman numeral hour marks and Arabic numeral five-minute marks.

Clock: Height 48cm, width 61cm, depth 25cm
Candelabra: Height 72cm, width 36cm, depth 32cm