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 Manc
...hester. 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.”
Antique Number: SA1108032
Dateline of this antique is Victorian
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