Ormolu and tortoiseshell Rococo style bracket clock by Gros

This magnificent Napoleon III period bracket clock is crafted from tortoiseshell and ormolu in the ornate Rococo Revival style. The clock case is by the celebrated Jean-Louis-Benjamin Gros, a master ébéniste, or furniture maker, while the clockworks are by Lany of Paris.

The clock case is of typical Rococo form: the shape is based on that of the rocaille, with sweeping curves predominating in the shape of the case and the forms of the mounts. The tortoiseshell body, of a beautiful lustrous red, is set with superb ormolu mounts, which are cast in the wonderfully foliate Rococo style. The case is surmounted by an elaborate classicising finial comprised of a torso modelled with armour, the manner of which recalls the Neoclassical style. The case contains a circular tooled ormolu dial, the dial inset with individual enamel cartouches inscribed with Roman numeral hour marks.

The supporting bracket is similarly decorated, formed of tortoiseshell set with superb ormolu mounts, including a pair of roaring lion’s head masks. As with the clock case, the quality of the craftsmanship is unparalleled: the bronze throughout is intricately cast and finished and is a superb example of Gros' work.

The case is marked ‘Gros / Paris’, while the movement is signed ‘Lany a Paris’ and ‘Lagarde / A Paris’.

Clock: Height 90cm, width 52cm, depth 30cm
Bracket: Height 44cm, width 55cm, depth 34cm