What is a French clock garniture?

A clock garniture is a decorative matching set consisting of a central mantel clock flanked by two side ornaments, traditionally candelabra or vases, popularised in France during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

What materials are typically used in antique French ormolu clock sets?

Antique French clock sets frequently feature gilt bronze (ormolu) combined with fine white or coloured marble, featuring cast ornamentation, mercury gilding, and brass mechanical movements.

How can you identify authentic nineteenth-century French clock sets?

Authentic pieces usually showcase cast mercury-gilded bronze with detailed hand-chasing, stamped movement makers marks on the backplate, and natural surface oxidisation.

How do you style an antique clock garniture in a modern interior?

Place the garniture centrally on a marble fireplace mantelpiece or a grand hallway console table, pairing it with simple contemporary artwork or modern panelling to balance the classical detail.

How should an antique ormolu and marble clock set be cleaned?

Dust gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth or a natural bristle brush, avoiding liquid cleaners, abrasive chemicals, or metal polishes that can remove gilding or stain porous marble.

for sale €8,652 $9,392

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Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Antique French Clock Set ~ H Luppens Paris

Name: Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Antique French Clock Set ~ H Luppens Paris
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1097742
Price: 7395 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Dragon-Antiques.com

Description

~ French - Circa 1900 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A large and magnificent clock set by the renown bronze founder H Luppens of Brussels. Classically modelled in the Louis XVI style, the clock features three ormolu cherubs toiling to support a large deep blue lacquered orb that contains the clock movement and dial. The sunburst pendulum swings gently below.

The orb is studded with ormolu stars and above butterflies delicate land upon a floral arrangement. The candelabra are modelled en suite with cherubs carrying the weight of five lights modelled as scrolling foliage, snuffers sit in the central sconce as finials when not in use. The three elements are mounted on white Carrera marble bases swagged with flowers tied with bows. The dial is porcelain enamel on copper, cream with delicate swags painted between the numerals. It is complete with it's original finely cut gilt hands. The bezel is set with paste jewels and convex glass. The set is beautifully made and finished in finely gilded bronze ormolu.

The French movement is of superb quality and is by Samuel Marti. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is an old replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video to hear the bell and watch the clock running.

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright, some slight wear and tarnish in places, particularly the ormolu tops to the marble bases. Marble is also excellent with a good polish, some slight staining and nibbles to the edges. Blue orb has some light scratches and wear to the original lacquer. Dial is excellent with no damage, some slight fading.

H. Luppens & Cie were a famous foundry from Brussels, Belguim operating in the 19th century. The H. Luppens & Cie Foundry had its workshops in Saint-Gilles, 15 rue de Danemark. There were known for their Foundry and specialised in Lustres, Bronzes, Pendules and Meubles. furniture, clocks, ceiling lights and bronze. They had premises in Rue Neuve 144 to 148 and Boulevard du Nord 151 to 155 Brussels. They have made many extremely high quality objects which can be found across the globe from large clock sets to chandeliers, often retailed from their Paris premises as in the case of this clock set.

Samuel Marti clockmaker's mark and H Luppens Bronze Founders mark on the movement backplate

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

Dimensions of clock:

inches: Height 22 1/2", Width 7 1/4", Depth 7 1/4"

centimetres: Height 57.5 cm, Width 18.5 cm, Depth 18.5 cm

Dimensions of candelabra:

inches: Height 23 1/2", Width 8 1/4", Depth 7 3/4"

centimetres: Height 60 cm, Width 21 cm, Depth 19.5 cm

Shipping within UK £30

Shipping to USA / Europe £195 by air fully insured

World wide shipping - £295 by air fully insured

Physical Dimensions

Height

23.5cm (9.25")

Width

8.2cm (3.23")

Depth

7.8cm (3.07")

Declaration

Dragon-Antiques.com has dated this French Antique Clock Garniture to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1097742

Dealers Internal Reference

RSC3659

Dealers Notes

Email Julie now to reserve this item! .

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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 1900 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A large and magnificent clock set by the renown bronze founder H Luppens of Brussels.

“

Classically modelled in the Louis XVI style, the clock features three ormolu cherubs toiling to support a large deep blue lacquered orb that contains the clock movement and dial.

Dragon-Antiques.com

The sunburst pendulum swings gently below.

fig 1. An antique French three-piece clock garniture set comprising a central gilt bronze cherub mantel clock on a white marble base flanked by two matching cherub candelabra. — fig 1. Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Antique French Clock Set ~ H Luppens Paris

The orb is studded with ormolu stars and above butterflies delicate land upon a floral arrangement. The candelabra are modelled en suite with cherubs carrying the weight of five lights modelled as scrolling foliage, snuffers sit in the central sconce as finials when not in use. The three elements are mounted on white Carrera marble bases swagged with flowers tied with bows. The dial is porcelain enamel on copper, cream with delicate swags painted between the numerals. It is complete with it's original finely cut gilt hands. The bezel is set with paste jewels and convex glass. The set is beautifully made and finished in finely gilded bronze ormolu.

fig 2. An antique French three-piece clock garniture set comprising a central gilt bronze cherub mantel clock on a white marble base flanked by two matching cherub candelabra. — fig 2. Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Antique French Clock Set ~ H Luppens Paris

The French movement is of superb quality and is by Samuel Marti. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is an old replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video to hear the bell and watch the clock running.

fig 3. An antique French three-piece clock garniture set comprising a central gilt bronze cherub mantel clock on a white marble base flanked by two matching cherub candelabra. — fig 3. Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Antique French Clock Set ~ H Luppens Paris

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright, some slight wear and tarnish in places, particularly the ormolu tops to the marble bases. Marble is also excellent with a good polish, some slight staining and nibbles to the edges. Blue orb has some light scratches and wear to the original lacquer. Dial is excellent with no damage, some slight fading.

fig 4. An antique French three-piece clock garniture set comprising a central gilt bronze cherub mantel clock on a white marble base flanked by two matching cherub candelabra. — fig 4. Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Antique French Clock Set ~ H Luppens Paris

H. Luppens & Cie were a famous foundry from Brussels, Belguim operating in the 19th century. The H. Luppens & Cie Foundry had its workshops in Saint-Gilles, 15 rue de Danemark. There were known for their Foundry and specialised in Lustres, Bronzes, Pendules and Meubles. furniture, clocks, ceiling lights and bronze. They had premises in Rue Neuve 144 to 148 and Boulevard du Nord 151 to 155 Brussels. They have made many extremely high quality objects which can be found across the globe from large clock sets to chandeliers, often retailed from their Paris premises as in the case of this clock set.