Putti Figural Clock
A putti figural clock brings sculptural presence and mechanical precision together, capturing cherubic figures cast in bronze and ormolu.
Putti Figural Clock
The forms span simple table pieces on bronze plinths to elaborate clock sets featuring garnitures and specimen marble bases. These clocks serve as decorative centrepieces, driven by movements enclosed in heavy gilt bronze and ormolu cases.
Continental workshops dominate the selections, alongside London makers incorporating French movements into British retail pieces. The figures often interact with elements like globes, dogs, or drapery, integrating classical mythology into domestic interiors.
Materials and construction
Foundry work relied on casting bronze, patinated bronze, and ormolu, often combined with white enamel dials and white or specimen marble bases. Gilt bronze and ormolu finishes required skilled mercury gilding or electroplating to achieve lasting lustre.
Movements utilise brass gear trains, sometimes employing silk suspension threads in earlier examples before transitioning to steel spring or pendulum regulations. Cases incorporate glass bezels and hand-painted enamel chapter rings.
Many a Victorian cherub guards the passing hours while clutching a stray puppy or gazing into a brass globe.
Judging quality and craftsmanship
The integration of the figure with the clock case dictates overall artistic success. In superior pieces, the putto actively engages with the dial or case rather than appearing as an afterthought bolted to the plinth.
BELLENOT PARIS·John Bennett Cheapside London·Henry Berkeley Square London·F Marti·P.H. Mourey·Japy Freres
The Putti Figural Clock Glossary
- Ormolu
- Finely ground high-carat gold applied to bronze through a mercury amalgamation process, or later via electroplating. This creates a durable, golden surface finish.
- Putto
- A plump, naked male child figure, often winged, derived from classical art and frequently termed a cherub or cupid in nineteenth-century descriptions.
- Garniture
- A set of matching ornamental objects, typically comprising a central clock flanked by two matching vases, candelabra, or urns.
- Silk suspension
- A method of hanging the pendulum from a fine adjustable silk thread inside the movement, common in mid-nineteenth-century clocks before metal springs replaced it.
- Fusee
- A conical pulley used in clock movements to maintain equal power as the mainspring unwinds, found in higher-grade English timepieces.
Putti Figural Clock: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my clock run fast?
Changes in temperature or movement placement can alter the pendulum speed. Adjust the regulating nut on the pendulum bob downward to slow the beat.
Small adjustments made over several days help the mechanical movement settle into its environment and keep accurate time.
How should I clean ormolu?
Dust the gilt bronze gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth or a clean artist brush. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive polishes.
Moisture can damage the fragile mercury gilding or tarnish the underlying bronze, so keep liquids away from the metal case.
Are these clocks suitable for daily use?
Nineteenth-century mechanical clocks function reliably when properly serviced and placed on a stable, level surface away from direct sunlight and drafts.
Treating the movement with care and having it professionally oiled every few years preserves the gears and suspension components.