What defines a French Rococo mantel clock?

Originating in 18th-century France and popularised through 19th-century revivals, French Rococo mantel clocks are characterised by asymmetrical curves, elaborate acanthus leaf motifs, and ornate gilt bronze casing designed to sit prominently on a fireplace mantel or console.

What materials were traditionally used in 19th-century French gilt clocks?

These timepieces were typically constructed using gilt bronze, also known as ormolu, featuring gilded surfaces over cast bronze bases. The clock faces often utilised hand-painted white enamel dials set behind protective glass bezels.

How can you identify an authentic Samuel Marti or French movement clock?

Authentic 19th-century French clock movements usually bear circular maker stamps, such as Medaille dOr awards, alongside serial numbers stamped directly into the back brass plate. The precision of the casting, weight of the bronze, and hand-chased decorative details further distinguish period pieces from later reproductions.

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

Place the clock as a central focal point on a marble mantelpiece, minimalist credenza, or grand sideboard to create a contrast between historical detailing and contemporary lines. Complement the warm gold tones with neutral backdrops, dark wood surfaces, or architectural greenery.

How should antique gilt bronze and ormolu be maintained?

Clean gilt bronze strictly with a soft, dry cotton cloth or natural bristle brush to clear dust without removing the original gilt layer. Avoid chemical metal polishes, abrasive cleaners, or water, as moisture can compromise the gilding and cause oxidation to the metal underneath.

for sale €4,622 $5,017

£3,950

Dragon-Antiques.com

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2007

View Dealers Stock Page

Relevant Links

Samuel Marti Clock

Rococo Bronze Clock

Ornate Antique Table Clock

Victorian Gilt Bronze Clock

Id #SA1156505

PDF

SAVE

Large Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock by Samuel Marti

Name: Large Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock by Samuel Marti
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1156505
Price: 3950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Dragon-Antiques.com

Description

~ French - Circa 1880 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

This impressive and finely cast gilt-bronze mantel clock is a superb example of the 19th-century French Rococo revival, after the celebrated designs of the bronzier Robert Osmond. Boldly modelled, the waisted case is enriched with exuberant rocaille and naturalistic scrollwork, its asymmetrical silhouette characteristic of the Louis XV style. The composition is crowned by a beautifully cast figure of Amor as a putto, seated in quiet contemplation as he marks the passage of time upon a sundial—an elegant and poetic allegory of love and transience. The movement is the work of Samuel Marti.

The dial is of porcelain enamel on copper, retaining its original finely pierced gilt-bronze hands and set beneath a convex glass bezel. Beneath the dial, the allegorical symbolism continues with Amor’s quiver of arrows and flaming torch, emblematic of love and enlightenment, nestled among richly cast foliate scrolls and finely chased ornamentation. The sides are mounted with fabric-backed sound frets, lending visual lightness to the design. The polished base subtly reflects the movement of the pendulum, which may be seen gently swinging within the case. A glazed rear door reveals the beautifully finished movement. The case is modelled in the round, making this clock particularly well-suited for display in the centre of a room or on a table.

The clock houses a high-quality French movement by Samuel Marti, and is of superb quality. The movement is presented in excellent condition, having been fully overhauled by our specialist clockmaker, and is in perfect working order. It features an eight-day duration, striking the hours and half-hours on a bell with a clear, resonant tone. The pendulum is a sympathetic replacement. We have a video of the clock running and striking, please ask and we will send you a link or paste the following into your browser: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1280045520220069

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with slight wear and discolouration. There are a couple of small casting faults, including one to the cherubs torso. The dial is also in excellent condition with damage.

A comparable model is illustrated in Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Pröschel's, Vergoldete Bronzen: Die Bronzearbeiten des Spätbarock und Klassizismus, Munich, 1986 and also in Giacomo and Aurélie Wannenes', Les plus belles pendules françaises: De Louis XIV à l'Empire, Wannenes Art Publications.

Robert Osmond - Bronzier (1711 - 1789). French bronzier Robert Osmond was born in Canisy, near Saint-Lô; he began his apprenticeship in the workshop of Louis Regnard, maître fondeur en terre et en sable, and became a master bronzier in Paris in 1746. He is recorded as working in the rue des Canettes in the St. Sulpice parish, moving to the rue de Mâcon in 1761. Robert Osmond became a juré, thus gaining a certain degree of protection of his creative rights. In 1753, he sent for his nephew in Normandy, and in 1761, the workshop, which by that time had grown considerably, moved to the rue de Macon. The nephew, Jean-Baptiste Osmond (1742-after 1790) became a master in 1764 and as of that date worked closely with his uncle, to such a degree that it is difficult to differentiate between the contributions of each. Robert appears to have retired around 1775. Jean-Baptiste, who remained in charge of the workshop after the retirement of his uncle, encountered difficulties and went bankrupt in 1784. Robert Osmond died in 1789. Prolific bronze casters and chasers, the Osmonds worked with equal success in both the Louis XV and the Neo-classical styles. Prized by connoisseurs of the period, their work was distributed by clockmakers and marchands-merciers. Specialising at first in the rocaille style, in the early 1760’s they turned to the

Physical Dimensions

Height

42cm (16.54")

Width

29cm (11.42")

Depth

17cm (6.69")

Declaration

Dragon-Antiques.com has dated this Rococo Gilt Mantel Clock to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1156505

Dealers Internal Reference

RSC3852

Dealers Notes

Email Julie now to reserve this item! .

BITCOIN - we now accept - please ask and we will send you a coinbase invoice

Phone number - please includes as many email accounts such as hotmail etc automatically junk replies.

Buy now with the Paypal button, even if you dont have a Paypal account! All other payment methods accepted, please see our website for more details or phone Julie now!

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

Description

~ French - Circa 1880 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

“

This impressive and finely cast gilt-bronze mantel clock is a superb example of the 19th-century French Rococo revival, after the celebrated designs of the bronzier Robert Osmond.

Dragon-Antiques.com

Boldly modelled, the waisted case is enriched with exuberant rocaille and naturalistic scrollwork, its asymmetrical silhouette characteristic of the Louis XV style. The composition is crowned by a beautifully cast figure of Amor as a putto, seated in quiet contemplation as he marks the passage of time upon a sundial—an elegant and poetic allegory of love and transience. The movement is the work of Samuel Marti.

fig 1. An antique French gilt bronze Rococo mantel clock featuring an ornate scrollwork case topped with a seated cherub figure and a white enamel dial. — fig 1. Large Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock by Samuel Marti

The dial is of porcelain enamel on copper, retaining its original finely pierced gilt-bronze hands and set beneath a convex glass bezel. Beneath the dial, the allegorical symbolism continues with Amor’s quiver of arrows and flaming torch, emblematic of love and enlightenment, nestled among richly cast foliate scrolls and finely chased ornamentation. The sides are mounted with fabric-backed sound frets, lending visual lightness to the design. The polished base subtly reflects the movement of the pendulum, which may be seen gently swinging within the case. A glazed rear door reveals the beautifully finished movement. The case is modelled in the round, making this clock particularly well-suited for display in the centre of a room or on a table.

fig 2. An antique French gilt bronze Rococo mantel clock featuring an ornate scrollwork case topped with a seated cherub figure and a white enamel dial. — fig 2. Large Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock by Samuel Marti

The clock houses a high-quality French movement by Samuel Marti, and is of superb quality. The movement is presented in excellent condition, having been fully overhauled by our specialist clockmaker, and is in perfect working order. It features an eight-day duration, striking the hours and half-hours on a bell with a clear, resonant tone. The pendulum is a sympathetic replacement. We have a video of the clock running and striking, please ask and we will send you a link or paste the following into your browser: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1280045520220069

fig 3. An antique French gilt bronze Rococo mantel clock featuring an ornate scrollwork case topped with a seated cherub figure and a white enamel dial. — fig 3. Large Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock by Samuel Marti

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with slight wear and discolouration. There are a couple of small casting faults, including one to the cherubs torso. The dial is also in excellent condition with damage.

fig 4. An antique French gilt bronze Rococo mantel clock featuring an ornate scrollwork case topped with a seated cherub figure and a white enamel dial. — fig 4. Large Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock by Samuel Marti

A comparable model is illustrated in Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Pröschel's, Vergoldete Bronzen: Die Bronzearbeiten des Spätbarock und Klassizismus, Munich, 1986 and also in Giacomo and Aurélie Wannenes', Les plus belles pendules françaises: De Louis XIV à l'Empire, Wannenes Art Publications.

fig 5. An antique French gilt bronze Rococo mantel clock featuring an ornate scrollwork case topped with a seated cherub figure and a white enamel dial. — fig 5. Large Antique French Gilt Bronze Rococo Clock by Samuel Marti

Robert Osmond - Bronzier (1711 - 1789). French bronzier Robert Osmond was born in Canisy, near Saint-Lô; he began his apprenticeship in the workshop of Louis Regnard, maître fondeur en terre et en sable, and became a master bronzier in Paris in 1746. He is recorded as working in the rue des Canettes in the St. Sulpice parish, moving to the rue de Mâcon in 1761. Robert Osmond became a juré, thus gaining a certain degree of protection of his creative rights. In 1753, he sent for his nephew in Normandy, and in 1761, the workshop, which by that time had grown considerably, moved to the rue de Macon. The nephew, Jean-Baptiste Osmond (1742-after 1790) became a master in 1764 and as of that date worked closely with his uncle, to such a degree that it is difficult to differentiate between the contributions of each. Robert appears to have retired around 1775. Jean-Baptiste, who remained in charge of the workshop after the retirement of his uncle, encountered difficulties and went bankrupt in 1784. Robert Osmond died in 1789. Prolific bronze casters and chasers, the Osmonds worked with equal success in both the Louis XV and the Neo-classical styles. Prized by connoisseurs of the period, their work was distributed by clockmakers and marchands-merciers. Specialising at first in the rocaille style, in the early 1760’s they turned to the