French maker Henri Picard (fl. 1831-1864) was one of the most respected and revered bronze fondeurs of the mid-19th Century. Here we have a magnificently designed three-piece clock set, crafted in collaboration with the prestigious clockmakers Raingo Frères, showcasing the exceptional attention to detail for which Picard is still famous.
The set is comprised of a central mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra, with each of the three pieces wrought exclusively from ormolu, or gilt bronze.
The mantel clock features a centrally placed circular white enamel dial inscribed with Roman numeral hour indices. The dial is set within an exceptionally ornate ormolu case, surmounted above by a flamboyant foliate spray, and flanked on either side by a reclining cherub. The case and cherubim are set atop an architecturally formed base decorated with elaborate scrolling and foliate detailing.
The pair of eight-light candelabra are similarly decorated, with each candelabrum featuring a similar base and a stem crafted as a kneeling cherub holding aloft the candelabrum’s head, with each head issuing eight scrolling foliate branches.
The dial is signed ‘Raingo Fres / A Paris’, while the clock and candelabra are individually stamped to the bronze ‘H. Picard’.
Clock: Height 54cm, width 72cm, depth 20cm
Candelabra: Height 86cm, width 44cm, depth 27cm