What characterises a Louis XVI style French mantel clock?

Louis XVI style mantel clocks feature classical Neoclassical motifs inspired by Greco-Roman architecture. Common design elements include fluted columns, urn finials, acanthus leaf carvings, and symmetrical proportions, frequently combining gilded bronze with porcelain ornamentation.

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

French horologists utilised fire-gilded bronze, known as ormolu, alongside painted porcelain panels produced in Sevres or Sevres-style workshops. Internal components typically consisted of precision brass movements, steel pendulums, and enamel or painted dials.

How can an authentic 19th-century French clock movement be identified?

Authentic period movements often feature maker stamps on the rear brass plate, such as the circular trademark of Japy Freres. Additionally, authentic pieces display hand-painted porcelain details and indications of mercury gilding rather than modern electroplating.

How can a French gilt bronze clock be styled in a modern interior?

A gilt bronze and porcelain clock serves as an effective focal point when positioned on a stone fireplace mantelpiece or atop a dark wood sideboard. Grouping the clock with simple contemporary art or minimalistic greenery balances the elaborate classical metalwork.

How should antique ormolu and porcelain clocks be cleaned and maintained?

Gilt bronze surfaces should be dusted with a soft, dry brush and never polished with chemical metal cleaners, which strip the gold layer. Mechanical movements require professional oiling every three to five years by a qualified horologist.

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Ormolu Shelf Clock

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Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored

Name: Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1235264
Price: 2950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Dragon-Antiques.com

Description

~ French - Circa 1880 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A magnificent late nineteenth-century French ormolu and Sèvres style porcelain mantel clock by the celebrated maker Japy Frères. The imposing architectural case is finely cast in gilt bronze and designed in the Louis XVI taste, the movement contained within a rectangular portico-form body flanked by a pair of elegant columns of cobalt-blue porcelain and enriched with delicate gilt decoration. Below the dial is a large porcelain panel, beautifully painted with a charming pastoral scene depicting a young mother and her child in an idyllic country landscape.

The circular porcelain dial is especially attractive, having individual white enamel Roman numeral reserves set against a rich blue ground. The centre is delicately painted with flowers and colourful garden birds, complemented by a fine pair of gilt-brass hands. A beaded ormolu bezel frames the dial.

The clock is surmounted by a particularly impressive covered porcelain urn, its deep cobalt-blue ground beautifully enriched with finely painted and gilded decoration. It is mounted within an elaborate ormolu framework, with bold scrolling handles, pendant floral garlands and finely modelled foliate supports, terminating above in a gilt-bronze flame finial.

The lower section is richly finished with a continuous band of crisply cast ornament, while the projecting base is raised upon finely turned ormolu feet. A further shaped cobalt-blue porcelain apron to the centre is decorated with intricate gilt ornament and a colourful floral motif.

The French movement is by Japy Frères, one of the most important and prolific French clockmaking houses of the nineteenth century. Japy Frères won numerous awards at the great international exhibitions and its movements were employed by many of France's finest casemakers and bronziers. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is original. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video below to hear the bell and watch the clock running. Please note that clocks of this particular style were made without front or rear glasses, leaving the dial and movement open as originally intended.

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with just slight wear and discolouration. The porcelain is also in excellent condition, there is a tiny chip to the edge of the urn, a small area of restoration near the 9 o'clock of the dial. A few porcelain 'jewels are missing, most notably on the right hand pillar. The surmounting urn sits slightly askew.

The overall effect is exceptionally decorative: the brilliant cobalt blue of the porcelain, delicate painted scenes and richly gilded bronze combine to create a clock of considerable presence and quality.

Japy Frères clockmakers mark on the movement backplate

Complete with original pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.

Dimensions of clock:

inches: Height 15", Width 9 1/4", Depth 4 3/4"

centimetres: Height 38 cm, Width 23.5 cm, Depth 12 cm

Shipping within UK £25

Shipping to USA / Europe £95 by air fully insured

World wide shipping - £135 by air fully insured

Physical Dimensions

Height

38cm (14.96")

Width

23.5cm (9.25")

Depth

12cm (4.72")

Declaration

Dragon-Antiques.com has dated this French Ormolu Mantel Clock to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1235264

Dealers Internal Reference

RSC3934

Dealers Notes

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Description

~ French - Circa 1880 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

“

A magnificent late nineteenth-century French ormolu and Sèvres style porcelain mantel clock by the celebrated maker Japy Frères.

Dragon-Antiques.com

The imposing architectural case is finely cast in gilt bronze and designed in the Louis XVI taste, the movement contained within a rectangular portico-form body flanked by a pair of elegant columns of cobalt-blue porcelain and enriched with delicate gilt decoration. Below the dial is a large porcelain panel, beautifully painted with a charming pastoral scene depicting a young mother and her child in an idyllic country landscape.

fig 1. A Louis XVI style French ormolu and cobalt blue hand-painted porcelain mantel clock topped with an urn finial. — fig 1. Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored

The circular porcelain dial is especially attractive, having individual white enamel Roman numeral reserves set against a rich blue ground. The centre is delicately painted with flowers and colourful garden birds, complemented by a fine pair of gilt-brass hands. A beaded ormolu bezel frames the dial.

fig 2. A Louis XVI style French ormolu and cobalt blue hand-painted porcelain mantel clock topped with an urn finial. — fig 2. Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored

The clock is surmounted by a particularly impressive covered porcelain urn, its deep cobalt-blue ground beautifully enriched with finely painted and gilded decoration. It is mounted within an elaborate ormolu framework, with bold scrolling handles, pendant floral garlands and finely modelled foliate supports, terminating above in a gilt-bronze flame finial.

fig 3. A Louis XVI style French ormolu and cobalt blue hand-painted porcelain mantel clock topped with an urn finial. — fig 3. Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored

The lower section is richly finished with a continuous band of crisply cast ornament, while the projecting base is raised upon finely turned ormolu feet. A further shaped cobalt-blue porcelain apron to the centre is decorated with intricate gilt ornament and a colourful floral motif.

fig 4. A Louis XVI style French ormolu and cobalt blue hand-painted porcelain mantel clock topped with an urn finial. — fig 4. Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored

The French movement is by Japy Frères, one of the most important and prolific French clockmaking houses of the nineteenth century. Japy Frères won numerous awards at the great international exhibitions and its movements were employed by many of France's finest casemakers and bronziers. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is original. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video below to hear the bell and watch the clock running. Please note that clocks of this particular style were made without front or rear glasses, leaving the dial and movement open as originally intended.

fig 5. A Louis XVI style French ormolu and cobalt blue hand-painted porcelain mantel clock topped with an urn finial. — fig 5. Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with just slight wear and discolouration. The porcelain is also in excellent condition, there is a tiny chip to the edge of the urn, a small area of restoration near the 9 o'clock of the dial. A few porcelain 'jewels are missing, most notably on the right hand pillar. The surmounting urn sits slightly askew.

fig 6. A Louis XVI style French ormolu and cobalt blue hand-painted porcelain mantel clock topped with an urn finial. — fig 6. Japy Freres Louis XVI Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Fully Restored

The overall effect is exceptionally decorative: the brilliant cobalt blue of the porcelain, delicate painted scenes and richly gilded bronze combine to create a clock of considerable presence and quality.