What is a French clock garniture set?

A clock garniture is a decorative three-piece set comprising a central mantel clock flanked by a pair of matching side decorative pieces, such as candelabra, urns, or vases. Popularised in 18th and 19th-century France, they were created to form a symmetrical statement atop fireplace mantels and sideboards.

What materials are traditionally used in French clock garnitures?

Traditional French garniture sets frequently combine fine marbles, such as rouge, white Carrara, or black Belgian marble, with cast bronze or gilt bronze mounts, known as ormolu. Clock dials were typically crafted from hand-painted enamel set behind glass bezels.

How can you identify an authentic 19th-century French mantel clock?

Authentic pieces usually feature heavy cast bronze mounts with hand-chased detailing, white enamel dials with Roman or Arabic numerals, and French brass movements often stamped by maker workshops like A.D. Mougin or Japy Freres on the backplate.

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

Place the three pieces together symmetrically on a fireplace mantelpiece, sideboard, or console table to serve as a focal point. Balance the historical metalwork and marble by positioning the set against neutral walls or minimalist architectural backdrop elements.

How should you clean and maintain antique gilt bronze and marble clocks?

Dust surfaces regularly with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, avoiding harsh liquid cleaners that can damage delicate ormolu gilded finishes. The internal mechanical movement should be serviced periodically by a professional horologist to ensure correct operation.

for sale €1,375 $1,492

£1,175

N Wilson Antiques Clocks

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2021

View Dealers Stock Page

Relevant Links

Pink Marble Mantel Clock

French Clock Garniture Set

Vintage French Table Clock

Id #SA1165953

PDF

SAVE

Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock

Name: Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1165953
Price: 1175 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by N Wilson Antiques Clocks

Description

DESCRIPTION:

This truly is an exquisite French three-piece clock set which incorporates pink marble, an uncommon material which has been expertly sculpted for this garniture. The superb pink shade is a wonderful contrasted by ormolu decorations, which are a lovely classical design.

The top of the clock is adorned with a bronze cherub with an ormolu torch in his hand seated on an ormolu mount. The mantel clock dial set out with dark blue Roman numerals with smaller black Arabic numerals above with finely pierced gilt brass hands. The dial is covered in bevelled convex glass in a finely detailed bezel. Below the dial is an ormolu laurel and torch cresting whilst to the corners above the dial is adorned with floral ormolu mounts. Further fine detailing adornes the top and the base of the clock. The clock is then mounted on bun feet.

The two candle sticks are similarly designed, with each having a bronze cherub with an ormolu torch in his hand. A single candle fixtures adorn each candle stick, which is a finely detailed ormolu. The cherubs stands on finely detailed ormolu which in turn is mounted on square pink marble and bun feet.

There is a door to the rear which when opened allows the movement to be accessed. The movement is stamped with the MOUGIN trademark which reads 'AD MOUGIN DEUX MEDAILLES' and '2888'. AD Mougin was a well-known French clock maker working in the mid nineteenth century. He is known to have made clocks in the French clock making region of Montbeliard (which is close to the Swiss border) and is also listed as having premises on the Rue de Turenne in Paris. He won two gold medals at exhibitions for his clocks and used these as the basis for his trademark which contain the ‘Deux Medailles’.

The movement is lovely and clean and is happlity ticking and striking away. In addition this comes complete with its winding key and pendulum which is stamped '28 88' showing it to be original to the movement.

DIMENSIONS

The approximate dimensions of the clocks are:

- 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) wide

- 4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm) deep

- 12 1/4 inches (31 cm) high

The approximate dimensions of the clocks are:

- 4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm) wide

- 3 inches (7.5 cm) deep

- 6 3/4 inches (17 cm) high

AGE:

The clock is dates to circa 1860 / 1880.

CONDITION:

The clock garniture is in superb condition as can be seen from the photographs, there has just been a small repair to the base of one of the candle sticks' which is show in a close up photograph. The clock is happily ticking and striking away and keeping good time. Please study photographs carefully as they form part of the description and condition, as what you view is exactly what you will receive

Declaration

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1165953

Dealers Internal Reference

clock garniture 22

Description

DESCRIPTION:

“

This truly is an exquisite French three-piece clock set which incorporates pink marble, an uncommon material which has been expertly sculpted for this garniture.

N Wilson Antiques Clocks

The superb pink shade is a wonderful contrasted by ormolu decorations, which are a lovely classical design.

fig 1. A three-piece antique French garniture set featuring a pink marble and gilt bronze mantel clock flanked by two bronze cherub candelabra. — fig 1. Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock

The top of the clock is adorned with a bronze cherub with an ormolu torch in his hand seated on an ormolu mount. The mantel clock dial set out with dark blue Roman numerals with smaller black Arabic numerals above with finely pierced gilt brass hands. The dial is covered in bevelled convex glass in a finely detailed bezel. Below the dial is an ormolu laurel and torch cresting whilst to the corners above the dial is adorned with floral ormolu mounts. Further fine detailing adornes the top and the base of the clock. The clock is then mounted on bun feet.

fig 2. A three-piece antique French garniture set featuring a pink marble and gilt bronze mantel clock flanked by two bronze cherub candelabra. — fig 2. Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock

The two candle sticks are similarly designed, with each having a bronze cherub with an ormolu torch in his hand. A single candle fixtures adorn each candle stick, which is a finely detailed ormolu. The cherubs stands on finely detailed ormolu which in turn is mounted on square pink marble and bun feet.

fig 3. A three-piece antique French garniture set featuring a pink marble and gilt bronze mantel clock flanked by two bronze cherub candelabra. — fig 3. Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock

There is a door to the rear which when opened allows the movement to be accessed. The movement is stamped with the MOUGIN trademark which reads 'AD MOUGIN DEUX MEDAILLES' and '2888'. AD Mougin was a well-known French clock maker working in the mid nineteenth century. He is known to have made clocks in the French clock making region of Montbeliard (which is close to the Swiss border) and is also listed as having premises on the Rue de Turenne in Paris. He won two gold medals at exhibitions for his clocks and used these as the basis for his trademark which contain the ‘Deux Medailles’.

fig 4. A three-piece antique French garniture set featuring a pink marble and gilt bronze mantel clock flanked by two bronze cherub candelabra. — fig 4. Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock

The movement is lovely and clean and is happlity ticking and striking away. In addition this comes complete with its winding key and pendulum which is stamped '28 88' showing it to be original to the movement.

fig 5. A three-piece antique French garniture set featuring a pink marble and gilt bronze mantel clock flanked by two bronze cherub candelabra. — fig 5. Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock

DIMENSIONS

The approximate dimensions of the clocks are:

5 1/2 inches (14 cm) wide

4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm) deep

12 1/4 inches (31 cm) high

The approximate dimensions of the clocks are:

4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm) wide

fig 6. A three-piece antique French garniture set featuring a pink marble and gilt bronze mantel clock flanked by two bronze cherub candelabra. — fig 6. Antique French Mougin Pink Marble Bronze & Ormolu Clock Garniture Mantel Clock

3 inches (7.5 cm) deep

6 3/4 inches (17 cm) high

AGE:

The clock is dates to circa 1860 / 1880.

CONDITION:

The clock garniture is in superb condition as can be seen from the photographs, there has just been a small repair to the base of one of the candle sticks' which is show in a close up photograph. The clock is happily ticking and striking away and keeping good time. Please study photographs carefully as they form part of the description and condition, as what you view is exactly what you will receive

Date of Manufacture

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1165953

Dealers Internal Ref

clock garniture 22

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