What is the history of French ormolu and Sevres porcelain mantel clocks?

Originating in 18th-century France and peaking during the 19th century, these timepieces combined decorative metalwork with porcelain art. Clockmakers paired heavy gilt bronze (ormolu) cases with hand-painted plaques inspired by the Sevres Porcelain Manufactory.

What materials were traditionally used in crafting these clocks?

Cases were cast in bronze or brass and finished with mercury gilding to produce the rich ormolu tone. Hand-painted soft-paste or hard-paste porcelain plaques, often finished in bleu celeste (sky blue) glazes, were inset into the metal framework alongside glass dial covers.

How can you identify an authentic 19th-century French clock?

Authentic pieces feature cast bronze construction with hand-chased surface details rather than modern cast zinc or resin. Clock movements are typically stamped on the backplate by makers such as Japy Freres, and porcelain panels display fine, hand-painted details rather than printed transfers.

How do you style a French ormolu clock in a modern interior?

Position the piece centrally on a fireplace mantelpiece, marble sideboard, or dark wood console table. Pairing rich metallic finishes with neutral walls creates a balanced visual centrepiece in contemporary space planning.

How should an antique gilt bronze and porcelain clock be maintained?

Dust regularly using a dry microfibre cloth or soft bristle brush. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners or water on the ormolu to prevent removing the gilt layer, and have the mechanical movement professionally serviced every five to seven years.

for sale €3,803 $4,128

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Early Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock by Japy Fils

Name: Early Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock by Japy Fils
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1053307
Price: 3250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Dragon-Antiques.com

Description

~ French - Circa 1855 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A fine and early clock by Japy Fils. It is beautifully made in ormolu (finely gilded bronze doré) and mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with a blue celeste ground. The panel below the dial features an exquisite scene of a couple in a country setting, he plays a lute. The lower panel features a collection of musical instruments. Panels to the sides are finely painted with bouquets of flowers.

To the top is an elaborate urn with rams head handles and removable cover with pineapple finial and to each side is a charming mask of old father time. The dial is also porcelain and is painted with a cherub in the manner of François Boucher. Reserves are painted with the twelve roman numerals in gilt. It is complete with its original finely fretted gilt hands. Please note that this type of clock does not has a glazed bezel or a rear door.

The French movement is of high quality and is by Japy Fils. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is a replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. We have a video of the clock, please ask and we will send you a link or paste this into your browser: https://www.facebook.com/DragonAntiques/videos/917854473452120

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with some areas of wear and tarnish particularly to the rear and the lower left hand side. The porcelain is also excellent with no damage, just some wear to the overglaze gilt decoration, particularly to the dial where it has been touched while setting the hands of the years.

The company of William Oppenheim is listed in Brian Loomes, Watchmakers and clockmakers of the world, vol 2 as working in London between 1857 and 1881. The business imported porcelain art and clocks. In the contemporary trade directory 'Kellys' the address is given as 75 newman Street in 1870 and 43 Farringdon St London in 1880 - A biographical Dictionary of C19th Antique and Curiosity Dealers by M Westgarth. William Oppenheim was born in 1824 in the Netherlands. He married Malvina Harris in 1857 and appeared on the 1861 census with the above address and his occupation was entered as "Importer of Foreign Goods" His death was registered in 1870. The company was continued by Malvina with her occupation entered in the 1871 census as "Dealer in French Clocks, Cabinets &..The company continued until 1910.

Japy Fils clockmakers mark on the movement backplate along with the Paris and London retailers mark for W. Oppenheim

Complete with pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.

Dimensions of clock:

inches: Height 14 1/2", Width 8", Depth 5 1/2"

centimetres: Height 37 cm, Width 20 cm, Depth 14 cm

Shipping within UK £25

Shipping to USA / Europe £85 by air fully insured

World wide shipping - £125 by air fully insured

Physical Dimensions

Height

37cm (14.57")

Width

20cm (7.87")

Depth

14cm (5.51")

Declaration

Dragon-Antiques.com has dated this Sevres Porcelain Mantel Clock to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1053307

Dealers Internal Reference

RSC3506

Dealers Notes

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World wide shipping by air fully insured. Please see our website for more pictures and video - http://www.Dragon-Antiques.com

Description

~ French - Circa 1855 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A fine and early clock by Japy Fils.

“

It is beautifully made in ormolu (finely gilded bronze doré) and mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with a blue celeste ground.

Dragon-Antiques.com

The panel below the dial features an exquisite scene of a couple in a country setting, he plays a lute. The lower panel features a collection of musical instruments. Panels to the sides are finely painted with bouquets of flowers.

fig 1. A 19th-century French gilt bronze mantel clock set with blue hand-painted porcelain panels depicting figures and an urn finial. — fig 1. Early Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock by Japy Fils

To the top is an elaborate urn with rams head handles and removable cover with pineapple finial and to each side is a charming mask of old father time. The dial is also porcelain and is painted with a cherub in the manner of François Boucher. Reserves are painted with the twelve roman numerals in gilt. It is complete with its original finely fretted gilt hands. Please note that this type of clock does not has a glazed bezel or a rear door.

fig 2. A 19th-century French gilt bronze mantel clock set with blue hand-painted porcelain panels depicting figures and an urn finial. — fig 2. Early Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock by Japy Fils

The French movement is of high quality and is by Japy Fils. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is a replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. We have a video of the clock, please ask and we will send you a link or paste this into your browser: https://www.facebook.com/DragonAntiques/videos/917854473452120

fig 3. A 19th-century French gilt bronze mantel clock set with blue hand-painted porcelain panels depicting figures and an urn finial. — fig 3. Early Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock by Japy Fils

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with some areas of wear and tarnish particularly to the rear and the lower left hand side. The porcelain is also excellent with no damage, just some wear to the overglaze gilt decoration, particularly to the dial where it has been touched while setting the hands of the years.

fig 4. A 19th-century French gilt bronze mantel clock set with blue hand-painted porcelain panels depicting figures and an urn finial. — fig 4. Early Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock by Japy Fils

The company of William Oppenheim is listed in Brian Loomes, Watchmakers and clockmakers of the world, vol 2 as working in London between 1857 and 1881. The business imported porcelain art and clocks. In the contemporary trade directory 'Kellys' the address is given as 75 newman Street in 1870 and 43 Farringdon St London in 1880 - A biographical Dictionary of C19th Antique and Curiosity Dealers by M Westgarth. William Oppenheim was born in 1824 in the Netherlands. He married Malvina Harris in 1857 and appeared on the 1861 census with the above address and his occupation was entered as "Importer of Foreign Goods" His death was registered in 1870. The company was continued by Malvina with her occupation entered in the 1871 census as "Dealer in French Clocks, Cabinets &..The company continued until 1910.