Ormolu mounted Japanese Imari porcelain clock set

This three-piece clock set comprises a central mantel clock and a pair of candelabra.

The mantel clock is formed from an ormolu (gilt bronze) mounted Imari porcelain vase. The vase, of hydria form, serves as the clock case and is profusely painted in the manner typical to Imari ware. The white ground surface of the porcelain is painted in blue, red, and gold tones with depictions of chrysanthemums and other foliage, Japanese hornet motifs, and a variety of abstract forms. The vase is topped with a lid decorated in a complementary manner.

This large central vase functions as the clock case, the clock dial centrally placed, and is extensively mounted with Louis XV style ormolu elements. The vase shaped clock case is supported by an ormolu base, elongated in length, which is ornamented throughout with ormolu acanthus leaf motifs, bunches of grapes, and garlands. Most prominently, the base is mounted with a pair of ormolu putti, one seated on either side of the vase. The vase itself is mounted to either side with twin ormolu lion’s head handles. The circular ormolu clock dial, encompassed by an elaborate ormolu foliate mount, is inscribed with Roman numeral hour marks on individual white enamel cartouches. The lid of the vase clock body is surmounted by an ormolu putto finial.

The pair of flanking candelabra is of similar form, each candelabrum being composed of a smaller Imari porcelain vase mounted with ormolu elements. The vase body of each candelabrum is mounted to the front with an ormolu swag, while the vase supports a putto finial from which springs the candelabrum's branches. Each candelabrum supports five lights, the branches ornately floral in construction.

The clock movement is signed, dated, and situated ‘Hersant Fot / 1869 / Paris’.

Clock: Height 74cm, width 52cm, depth 53cm
Candelabra: Height 83cm, width 24cm, depth 21cm