Louis XVI style ormolu mounted malachite three-piece clock set

This fine Louis XVI style clock set is comprised of a central mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra, all crafted from malachite and ormolu, or gilt bronze—the malachite veneer being a later, beneficial addition.

The clock is raised on an ovoid domed malachite base, set above four ormolu toupie feet. The base, like the remainder of the clock, is set with fine foliate ormolu mounts, wrought in the classicising Louis XVI style. The base culminates in a waisted socle, which in turn supports the lyre-form clock case. The clock drum is set within the curved sweep of the twin lyre branches; the enamel dial, inscribed with Arabic numerals and adorned with delicately painted flowers, is encompassed by a jewelled surround that rocks to and fro in tandem with the pendulum. The top of the clock is surmounted by an ormolu finial comprised of a flaming torch and a quiver of arrows crossed within a floral wreath.

The pair of candelabra is similarly decorated, each candelabrum raised on a conforming ormolu mounted malachite base. The body of each candelabrum is formed as an urn, its malachite form raised by three hoven legs that culminate in ram’s head masks. Each candelabrum supports three light branches, the branches modelled as rose stems with the candleholders formed as rose buds. The branches are set within a superbly crafted series of leafy sprays, the effect of which is imitative of a bouquet.

Clock: Height 50cm, width 24cm, depth 11cm
Candelabra: Height 34cm, width 24cm, depth 11cm