Silvered and gilt bronze malachite clock set by Schoenewerk

This large and impressive three-piece clock set is comprised of a central mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The pieces in the set are crafted from malachite mounted with silvered and gilt bronze, with the malachite veneer being a later, beneficial addition.

The mantel clock features a stepped plinth-form malachite case with a centrally placed dial, the dial featuring ormolu Roman numeral hour indices surrounded by an ormolu bezel, all above malachite ground and beneath a domed crystal. The flared lower step of the base is raised by four ormolu foliate paw feet, while the centre of the case is encompassed by an ormolu bas relief frieze depicting a procession of figures in the classical Greek style.

The malachite clock case is surmounted by an impressively wrought figure of Sappho, the Archaic Greek poetess who lived on the island of Lesbos during the seventh and sixth centuries BCE. Her figure is wrought from parcel gilt and silvered bronze; she is depicted seated in a pensive pose, her legs crossed and supporting her right elbow, which in turn props up her head. She is shown with a lyre, a timeless symbol of the ancient Greek world.

The flanking candelabra are similarly decorated, each featuring a conforming malachite base mounted with an ormolu bas relief frieze. The stem of each candelabrum is wrought as a silvered and gilt bronze caryatid-like female water carrier, who supports the ormolu nine-light candelabrum head.

The figure of Sappho is signed ‘Schoenewerk’ and the movement is signed 'A. Lemaire Paris R.V. du Temple 121'.

Clock: Height 56cm, width 53cm, depth 28cm
Candelabra: Height 66cm, width 30cm, depth 30cm