What characterises French Second Empire ormolu clocks?

During the French Second Empire period, clocks frequently featured ornate gilt bronze bases paired with dark patinated bronze sculptural figures, drawing aesthetic inspiration from Rococo and Classical themes.

What materials were used to construct 19th-century French mantel clocks?

These timepieces were constructed using cast bronze with fire-gilded mercury finishes, dark patinated bronze for sculptural figures, white enamel dials, and high-precision brass mechanical movements.

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

Authentic pieces display maker signatures on the dial or internal movement, crisp chasing on the cast bronze, historical gilded wear pattern, and hand-enamelled numerals.

How should a French bronze and ormolu clock be styled in a modern interior?

Position the clock as a central decorative focal point on a fireplace mantelpiece, sideboard top, or library desk to contrast classic metallurgy with contemporary lines.

What is the recommended method for cleaning and preserving gilded bronze?

Dust gently with a soft dry microfibre cloth or soft-bristled brush, avoiding water or abrasive cleaning solutions that can strip original mercury gilding.

for sale €4,095 $4,445

£3,500

Fowey River Antiques

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Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860

Name: Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1130751
Price: 3500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Fowey River Antiques

Description

This is a superb early clock by the famous bronze founder Charpentier of Paris.

It features a stunning highly detailed Bronze of a beautiful maiden sitting by a basket of roses holding a dove the eternal emblems of love and peace. The bronze is highly detailed and finely crafted Charpentier is considered to be one of the worlds premier bronziers. The bronze is perfect in every detail with a lovely patina. The figure is mounted on a stunning bronze ormolu gilt base, decorated with floral swags and acanthus. All of the gilding is totally original and untouched, the only thing we have done is give it an ultrasonic clean.

The dial is white porcelain enamel on copper, lettered in blue and black and signed for Charpentier Paris. The dial has no hairlines, cracks or chips its just perfect. The rear door is glazed to allow the pendulum to be seen.

The French movement is of very high quality and is by Victor Dewint. It is the early version of the Pendule de Paris movement with outside hammer spring and pin pallet escapement. It is in excellent clean and running condition having just been fully overhauled. The pendulum is original and it also comes with its original key. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and half hours on a bell.

Charpentier began making bronze mounts in Paris in 1834. He exhibited at the Exposition Nationale des Produits de l'agriculture et de l'industrie of 1849, where he was awarded a silver medal and later at the Paris International Exhibition of 1855 where he won a Me´daille de premie`re classe for his bronze casts. At the London 1862 International Exhibition he again received a First Classe Medal for a magnificent pair of torche`res.

This is an important bronzier of world class status.

Charpentier & Cie was located at 8, Rue Charlot, Paris in 1860, and was later known as Lemerle-Charpentier & Cie, circa 1870 to 1890.

This clock dates from around 1860.

The clock is a large and very impressive clock

It measures 45cm wide, 39cm high and 21cm deep.

It weighs around 20kg its very heavy.

Due to the nature of this item posting is not really practical or safe.

We are happy to offer free delivery and setting up within Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset or you are welcome to collect from us and we will give instructions on setting up.

A beautiful high quality large French clock in wonderful condition which will give great pleasure for many years to come.

It has been extremely well looked after over the last 160 years and is a credit to all of its previous owners, it is rare to find such a clock in this superb condition.

Physical Dimensions

Height

39cm (15.35")

Width

45cm (17.72")

Depth

21cm (8.27")

Declaration

Fowey River Antiques has dated this French Ormolu Mantel Clock to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1130751

Dealers Internal Reference

Charpentier

Dealers Notes

We specialise in high end vintage watches which we professionally restore such as Omega, Longines, Rolex, Jaeger LeCoultre etc and also ladies platinum and diamond cocktail watches.

All Watches include free fully insured international shipping. All other items please contact us for a quotation.

Description

This is a superb early clock by the famous bronze founder Charpentier of Paris.

“

It features a stunning highly detailed Bronze of a beautiful maiden sitting by a basket of roses holding a dove the eternal emblems of love and peace.

Fowey River Antiques

The bronze is highly detailed and finely crafted Charpentier is considered to be one of the worlds premier bronziers. The bronze is perfect in every detail with a lovely patina. The figure is mounted on a stunning bronze ormolu gilt base, decorated with floral swags and acanthus. All of the gilding is totally original and untouched, the only thing we have done is give it an ultrasonic clean.

fig 1. A French Rococo Revival mantel clock featuring a dark patinated bronze classical female figure seated atop an ornate gilt bronze base with a white enamel dial. — fig 1. Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860

The dial is white porcelain enamel on copper, lettered in blue and black and signed for Charpentier Paris. The dial has no hairlines, cracks or chips its just perfect. The rear door is glazed to allow the pendulum to be seen.

fig 2. A French Rococo Revival mantel clock featuring a dark patinated bronze classical female figure seated atop an ornate gilt bronze base with a white enamel dial. — fig 2. Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860

The French movement is of very high quality and is by Victor Dewint. It is the early version of the Pendule de Paris movement with outside hammer spring and pin pallet escapement. It is in excellent clean and running condition having just been fully overhauled. The pendulum is original and it also comes with its original key. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and half hours on a bell.

fig 3. A French Rococo Revival mantel clock featuring a dark patinated bronze classical female figure seated atop an ornate gilt bronze base with a white enamel dial. — fig 3. Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860

Charpentier began making bronze mounts in Paris in 1834. He exhibited at the Exposition Nationale des Produits de l'agriculture et de l'industrie of 1849, where he was awarded a silver medal and later at the Paris International Exhibition of 1855 where he won a Me´daille de premie`re classe for his bronze casts. At the London 1862 International Exhibition he again received a First Classe Medal for a magnificent pair of torche`res.

fig 4. A French Rococo Revival mantel clock featuring a dark patinated bronze classical female figure seated atop an ornate gilt bronze base with a white enamel dial. — fig 4. Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860

This is an important bronzier of world class status.

Charpentier & Cie was located at 8, Rue Charlot, Paris in 1860, and was later known as Lemerle-Charpentier & Cie, circa 1870 to 1890.

This clock dates from around 1860.

fig 5. A French Rococo Revival mantel clock featuring a dark patinated bronze classical female figure seated atop an ornate gilt bronze base with a white enamel dial. — fig 5. Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860

The clock is a large and very impressive clock

It measures 45cm wide, 39cm high and 21cm deep.

It weighs around 20kg its very heavy.

Due to the nature of this item posting is not really practical or safe.

fig 6. A French Rococo Revival mantel clock featuring a dark patinated bronze classical female figure seated atop an ornate gilt bronze base with a white enamel dial. — fig 6. Superb Bronze and Ormolu Gilt French Clock by Charpentier Paris C1860

We are happy to offer free delivery and setting up within Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset or you are welcome to collect from us and we will give instructions on setting up.

A beautiful high quality large French clock in wonderful condition which will give great pleasure for many years to come.

It has been extremely well looked after over the last 160 years and is a credit to all of its previous owners, it is rare to find such a clock in this superb condition.