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ID #SA1227864
FOR SALE
£850
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Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870
For sale by Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
for sale €995     $1,080
£850
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2012
Browse dealers 140 items
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Id #SA1227864
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Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

19th century
Description

Overview

An impressive antique French figural mantel clock dating from the second half of the 19th century, finely constructed from patinated bronze, richly gilded ormolu and pale marble.

Combining an elaborate Bacchic sculptural subject with a signed Parisian movement and highly decorative architectural base, the clock has exceptional visual presence and genuine horological interest.

Key Features

Antique French figural mantel clock

Dating from circa 1860–1880

Signed Siffel & Cartier, Paris

Patinated bronze sculptural group

Richly gilded ormolu mounts

Pale marble architectural base

Seated Bacchic putto

Decorated with vine leaves and grapes

Barrel-form clock case

Gilt classical ewer and circular dish

White enamel dial

Blue Roman numerals

Finely pierced gilt hands

Twin winding apertures

Signed and numbered brass movement

Four decorative ormolu feet

Craftsmanship & Detail

The clock is surmounted by a finely modelled Bacchic putto seated beside the barrel-form clock case. The figure wears vine leaves and clusters of grapes, creating a classical subject associated with wine, abundance and celebration.

A gilt classical ewer and circular dish complete the sculptural arrangement, while the surrounding ground is naturalistically cast with foliage, fruit and textured detail. The contrast between the dark patinated bronze and the warm gilt decoration gives the composition considerable depth.

The white enamel dial is signed Siffel & Cartier, A Paris and displays Roman numerals, finely pierced gilt hands and twin winding apertures. The dial is framed by an ornate gilt-bronze bezel with repeating floral and beaded ornament.

The rear-opening barrel reveals a substantial brass movement, also signed Siffel & Cartier, A Paris and bearing a production number. The signed movement reinforces the clock’s French origin and established quality of manufacture.

The architectural base is formed from pale marble and extensively mounted with scrolling ormolu foliage, floral garlands, rosettes, flowerheads and pierced ornament. A central floral mount decorates the lower plinth, which stands upon four finely cast gilt-bronze feet.

Nineteenth-century French clocks combining signed movements, sculptural bronze, marble and extensive ormolu decoration remain highly sought after. This example would make a striking centrepiece upon a mantelpiece, console table, commode or library cabinet.

Physical Dimensions
Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
35cm (13.78")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Declaration

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors has dated this French Figural Mantel Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1227864
Description
Overview

An impressive antique French figural mantel clock dating from the second half of the 19th century, finely constructed from patinated bronze, richly gilded ormolu and pale marble.

“
Combining an elaborate Bacchic sculptural subject with a signed Parisian movement and highly decorative architectural base, the clock has exceptional visual presence and genuine horological interest.
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
fig 1. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 1. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

Key Features

Antique French figural mantel clock

Dating from circa 1860–1880

Signed Siffel & Cartier, Paris

Patinated bronze sculptural group

Richly gilded ormolu mounts

Pale marble architectural base

Seated Bacchic putto

fig 2. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 2. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

Decorated with vine leaves and grapes

Barrel-form clock case

Gilt classical ewer and circular dish

White enamel dial

Blue Roman numerals

Finely pierced gilt hands

Twin winding apertures

Signed and numbered brass movement

fig 3. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 3. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

Four decorative ormolu feet

Craftsmanship & Detail

The clock is surmounted by a finely modelled Bacchic putto seated beside the barrel-form clock case. The figure wears vine leaves and clusters of grapes, creating a classical subject associated with wine, abundance and celebration.

fig 4. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 4. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

A gilt classical ewer and circular dish complete the sculptural arrangement, while the surrounding ground is naturalistically cast with foliage, fruit and textured detail. The contrast between the dark patinated bronze and the warm gilt decoration gives the composition considerable depth.

fig 5. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 5. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

The white enamel dial is signed Siffel & Cartier, A Paris and displays Roman numerals, finely pierced gilt hands and twin winding apertures. The dial is framed by an ornate gilt-bronze bezel with repeating floral and beaded ornament.

fig 6. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 6. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

The rear-opening barrel reveals a substantial brass movement, also signed Siffel & Cartier, A Paris and bearing a production number. The signed movement reinforces the clock’s French origin and established quality of manufacture.

fig 7. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 7. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

The architectural base is formed from pale marble and extensively mounted with scrolling ormolu foliage, floral garlands, rosettes, flowerheads and pierced ornament. A central floral mount decorates the lower plinth, which stands upon four finely cast gilt-bronze feet.

fig 8. A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
fig 8. Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

Nineteenth-century French clocks combining signed movements, sculptural bronze, marble and extensive ormolu decoration remain highly sought after. This example would make a striking centrepiece upon a mantelpiece, console table, commode or library cabinet.

Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
35cm (13.78")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Date of Manufacture

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors has dated this French Figural Mantel Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1227864
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2012
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors Profile Page

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A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
1 / 11
Archive I A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.

Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier C.1870

Archive II A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View II
Archive III A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View III
Archive IV A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View IV
Archive V A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View V
Archive VI A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View VI
Archive VII A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View VII
Archive VIII A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View VIII
Archive IX A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View IX
Archive X A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View X
Archive XI A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base. View XI
Enlarged Archival View
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Telephone 01446 744271 or 07973 734452
Location
Unit 15
Palmers Vale Business Centre
Palmerston Road
Barry
Glamorgan
CF63 2XA
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/hawkinsbrothersantiques
Verified Since Oct 2012
Items For Sale 140
Items Sold 950
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Verified Since Oct 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Unit 15, Palmers Vale Business Centre, Palmerston Road, Barry, Glamorgan, CF63 2XA, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/hawkinsbrothersantiques
Verified
Oct 2012
For Sale
140
Sold
950
A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
Antique French Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Figural Mantel Clock by Siffel & Cartier c.1870
Ref: SA1227864
A French 19th-century figural mantel clock with a patinated bronze cherub beside a circular white enamel dial on a gilt-bronze and marble base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectClocks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Second Empire
  • MaterialBronze, Ormolu, Marble
  • ColourGold and White
  • MotifsCherub figure, Gilt scrollwork, Enamel dial, Fluted feet
  • SizeH 30 cm (12 in) x W 35 cm (14 in) x D 11 cm (4 in)

This nineteenth-century French mantel clock dates from the second half of the 19th century and belongs to the French Second Empire style. Materials comprise patinated dark bronze, gilded ormolu, and pale white marble. A patinated bronze putto sits on a naturalistic cast ground next to a barrel-form clock case, wearing vine leaves and holding grapes. The white enamel circular dial features blue Roman numerals, two winding holes, and finely pierced gilt hands, framed by an ornate gilt-bronze bezel. A gilt classical ewer and circular dish rest beside the clock case. The architectural base consists of pale marble mounted with rich ormolu scrolling foliage, floral garlands, and rosettes, with a central floral mount on the lower plinth. The entire structure is supported by four decorative ormolu feet. Dimensions measure 30 cm high, 35 cm wide, and 11 cm deep. Positioning the clock upon a mantelpiece, console table, commode, or library cabinet provides a prominent display in a formal reception room or study. The combination of dark patinated bronze, white marble, and polished gold ormolu mounts creates a striking classical centrepiece. The signed Parisian movement and sculptural Bacchic subject suit traditional interiors seeking period French decorative arts. Maintenance requires careful dusting of the ormolu and marble surfaces with a soft dry cloth.

FAQs

These timepieces typically feature sculpted figures in patinated or gilt bronze positioned alongside or atop a central clock mechanism. Originating predominantly in 19th-century France, they blend fine sculpture with precise horology, often incorporating classical, allegorical, or pastoral themes.

Craftsmanship relied on cast bronze, often finished with fire-gilding or dark patination, paired with natural white or black marble bases. Dial faces were commonly crafted from white enamel over copper, set with brass hands and framed by chased gilt-bronze bezels.

Authentic examples feature heavy cast-bronze elements with fine hand-chasing, distinct maker stamps or signatures on the movement or dial face, and natural wear to the gilding. Movements typically utilise countwheel striking mechanisms stamped with French horological makers marks and serial numbers.

Position the clock as a focal point on a marble fireplace mantel, a sleek sideboard, or a contemporary console table. Pairing historical metalwork with clean modern lines or minimalistic artwork creates an engaging contrast between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Dust the surface regularly with a soft, dry microfiber cloth, avoiding liquid solvents or abrasive polishes that strip gilding or etch marble surfaces. Mechanical movements require periodic servicing by a qualified horologist every five to seven years to ensure longevity.
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