What is a clock garniture set?

A clock garniture set consists of a central mantel clock flanked by a pair of matching decorative sidepieces, such as candlesticks, urns, or vases. Popularised in France during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, these sets were designed to adorn fireplace mantels and credenzas as a cohesive ornamental display.

What materials are typically used in French cloisonne clocks?

French cloisonne clocks commonly feature brass or gilt bronze frames inlaid with vitreous enamel. The cloisonne technique involves applying thin metal wires to form compartments, which are filled with coloured enamel pastes and fired at high temperatures.

How can you identify an authentic nineteenth-century French clock garniture?

Authentic nineteenth-century French clocks often feature stamped brass clockwork movements, maker or retailer marks on the dial or backplate, and hand-applied enamel work. The metalwork usually displays natural patination and precise hand-chased construction.

How do you style a clock garniture set in contemporary interiors?

A clock garniture set can be styled symmetrically on a fireplace mantel, sideboard top, or formal entryway console. Displaying all three pieces together creates a balanced focal point, while separating the candlesticks allows for flexible arrangement across complementary surfaces.

How should antique cloisonne and brass clock sets be cleaned and maintained?

Clean the enamel and metal surfaces gently using a soft, dry lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive liquid polishes, chemical cleaners, or water, which can damage delicate enamel surfaces; consult a professional horologist for movement servicing.

for sale €1,521 $1,651

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Antique Mantelpiece Clock Set

Id #SA1108032

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Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

Name: Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1108032
Price: 1300 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by N Wilson Antiques Clocks

Description

This absolutely beautiful antique cloisonné garniture set consists of a clock and two matching candle sticks. This wonderful clock has a shaped bronze case covered in exquisite cloisonné enamel. The centre of the case is decorated with two wonderful shaped and cloisonné decorated columns. This fantastic piece has absolutely superb cloisonné work with fabulous blues, pinks, whites, and greens in complex patterns making it an excellent show piece!

The wonderful dial is brass and set out in Arabic numerals with a wonderful shaped edge and cloisonné centre. The dial then has a pair of wonderful shaped fingers and is signed by the retailers “FINNIGAN MANCHESTER” as well as being signed “PARIS MAKE”. Finally the dial is covered by a wonderful bevelled glass set into a bronze beadwork bezel which opens to allow the clock to be wound.

The movement is wound via the front door and accessed via the door at the back and runs off a balance shaft. It is stamped “2951” and is a French movement. The movement ticks away nicely.

The clock is then flanked by two beautiful cloisonné decorated candle sticks. As can be seen from the photo’s the candlesticks have a fantastic shape and makes the the whole set a truly unique and fantastic piece.

The Clock Measures Approximately:

- 7.5” / 19cm Tall.

- 5.5” / 14cm Wide.

- 3” / 7.5cm Deep.

The Candlesticks Measure Approximately:

- 6.5” / 16.5cm Tall.

- 3” / 7.5cm Wide.

- 3” / 7.5cm Deep.

CONDITION: the clock and candlesticks are in good antiques condition. There are some knocks and marks commensurate with age and use as well as a small portion of cloisonné being missing from the top back of the clock.

I can also provide some fantastic history on the retailers “FINNIGAN MANCHESTER” as follows:

“Finnigans Ltd

It all started in 1830, when Benjamin Finnigan (who was first recorded trading as Brian B Finnigan) opened a workshop in Newton Street Mill, and a Finnigans shop in 15 Market Street, both in Manchester. Finnigans was originally known for the manufacturing of high quality dressing cases and travelling trunks.

Benjamin Finnigan registered marks with both Chester and London assay offices in 1830.

Benjamin Finnigan died in 1868. He was succeeded by his son William Finnigan, who embodied the second generation of the family’s firm.

In 1879, William opened a Finnigans shop at New Bond Street, London. Relatively quickly, American millionaires such as the Vanderbilts, the Rockefellers and the Fords joined the house’s customer base.

Interestingly, opposite to Finnigans on Bond Street was the firm Asprey. The two houses enjoyed a friendly and highly competitive rivalry that led to fruitful developments.

At this time they were still specializing in leather and saddlery, but they also diverged and started selling clocks, watches, and silverware.

Finnigans Ltd registered marks at the London, Sheffield, Chester and Dublin offices in 1901, and subsequently with the Birmingham Assay office in 1904.

In 1938, the fourth generation of the Finnigan family, Brian Finnigan took over as the firm’s manager. He gradually expanded the reach of the family business and built up a lucrative export market in the Caribbean, New York and Canada.

After the war, Peter Finnigan joined his cousin Brian in the company. Together, in the 1950s, they pioneered the new retailing trend of moving city stores to more suburban locations and moved Finnigans store in Manchester to Wilmslow.

In 1968, Finnigans closed its New Bond Street store in London. It continued to run as a family business until it shut down its last store in 1988. The family were bought out around this time by a company called Hoopers.

Today, Finnigans Ltd now belongs to the Luvanis company, who specialise in reviving dormant brands.”

Declaration

N Wilson Antiques Clocks has dated this French Cloisonne Clock Garniture to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1108032

Description

“

This fantastic piece has absolutely superb cloisonné work with fabulous blues, pinks, whites, and greens in complex patterns making it an excellent show piece!.

N Wilson Antiques Clocks

fig 1. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 1. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

The wonderful dial is brass and set out in Arabic numerals with a wonderful shaped edge and cloisonné centre. The dial then has a pair of wonderful shaped fingers and is signed by the retailers “FINNIGAN MANCHESTER” as well as being signed “PARIS MAKE”. Finally the dial is covered by a wonderful bevelled glass set into a bronze beadwork bezel which opens to allow the clock to be wound.

fig 2. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 2. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

The movement is wound via the front door and accessed via the door at the back and runs off a balance shaft. It is stamped “2951” and is a French movement. The movement ticks away nicely.

The clock is then flanked by two beautiful cloisonné decorated candle sticks. As can be seen from the photo’s the candlesticks have a fantastic shape and makes the the whole set a truly unique and fantastic piece.

fig 3. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 3. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

The Clock Measures Approximately:

7.5” / 19cm Tall.

5.5” / 14cm Wide.

3” / 7.5cm Deep.

The Candlesticks Measure Approximately:

6.5” / 16.5cm Tall.

3” / 7.5cm Wide.

3” / 7.5cm Deep.

CONDITION: the clock and candlesticks are in good antiques condition. There are some knocks and marks commensurate with age and use as well as a small portion of cloisonné being missing from the top back of the clock.

fig 4. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 4. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

I can also provide some fantastic history on the retailers “FINNIGAN MANCHESTER” as follows:

“Finnigans Ltd

It all started in 1830, when Benjamin Finnigan (who was first recorded trading as Brian B Finnigan) opened a workshop in Newton Street Mill, and a Finnigans shop in 15 Market Street, both in Manchester. Finnigans was originally known for the manufacturing of high quality dressing cases and travelling trunks.

fig 5. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 5. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

Benjamin Finnigan registered marks with both Chester and London assay offices in 1830.

Benjamin Finnigan died in 1868. He was succeeded by his son William Finnigan, who embodied the second generation of the family’s firm.

fig 6. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 6. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

In 1879, William opened a Finnigans shop at New Bond Street, London. Relatively quickly, American millionaires such as the Vanderbilts, the Rockefellers and the Fords joined the house’s customer base.

fig 7. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 7. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

Interestingly, opposite to Finnigans on Bond Street was the firm Asprey. The two houses enjoyed a friendly and highly competitive rivalry that led to fruitful developments.

At this time they were still specializing in leather and saddlery, but they also diverged and started selling clocks, watches, and silverware.

fig 8. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 8. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

Finnigans Ltd registered marks at the London, Sheffield, Chester and Dublin offices in 1901, and subsequently with the Birmingham Assay office in 1904.

In 1938, the fourth generation of the Finnigan family, Brian Finnigan took over as the firm’s manager. He gradually expanded the reach of the family business and built up a lucrative export market in the Caribbean, New York and Canada.

fig 9. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 9. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

After the war, Peter Finnigan joined his cousin Brian in the company. Together, in the 1950s, they pioneered the new retailing trend of moving city stores to more suburban locations and moved Finnigans store in Manchester to Wilmslow.

fig 10. A three-piece French late nineteenth-century cloisonne enamel clock garniture set featuring a central arched mantel clock with turned side columns flanked by a pair of matching enamelled candlesticks. — fig 10. Antique Paris Cloisonne Clock Garniture Set Retailed by Finnigan Manchester

In 1968, Finnigans closed its New Bond Street store in London. It continued to run as a family business until it shut down its last store in 1988. The family were bought out around this time by a company called Hoopers.

Today, Finnigans Ltd now belongs to the Luvanis company, who specialise in reviving dormant brands.”

Date of Manufacture

N Wilson Antiques Clocks has dated this French Cloisonne Clock Garniture to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1108032

About the Dealer

N Wilson Antiques Clocks

Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2021

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the N Wilson Antiques Clocks Profile Page

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