Napoleon III period ormolu and marble clock set by Raingo Frères

This superb garniture is comprised of a central mantel clock and a pair of en suite eight-light candelabra. The clock and candelabra are crafted from white marble and ormolu, or gilt bronze, in the distinctive style that flourished during the reign of Napoleon III, known as the Second Empire.

The clock case is surmounted by a masterfully cast and finished sculptural group comprised of two bacchantes suspending garlands, with pipes and classical vessels scattered about their feet. The sculptural group is set over an architectural case crafted from white marble, centred with a white enamel dial inscribed with Arabic numeral hour indices. The dial is flanked by putti bearing further garlands, which they drape over urn-form elements. The wide, flared base of the clock is raised over twin ormolu recumbent lion feet, a wonderful decorative flourish.

The en suite candelabra conform in design, with each candelabrum featuring eight scrolled foliate branches springing from a central laurel wrapped stem, the stem emerging from an urn-form support held aloft by twin putti.

The dial is signed ‘Raingo Freres / Paris’, while the sculptural surmount is signed ‘Raingo Freres’ and ‘J. Salmson’.

Clock: Height 69cm, width 80cm, depth 24cm
Candelabra: Height 82cm, width 37cm, depth 37cm