19th Century Ormolu Figural Cartel Clock

An important mantle Clock 'à l'éléphant' in the Louis XV style. Constructed from gilt, hand-chased, and burnished bronze with patinated detail, the mantle clock on an asymmetric Rococo scrolling base with naturalistic features; the main body modelled as an elephant astride, mounted with a turbaned figure of a mahout (elephant keeper) in charge and his companion monkey, the elephant's back supporting a bamboo houdah enclosing the white enamelled dial marking the hours and minutes in Roman and Arabic numerals respectively, a tasselled cushion perched atop with two oriental figures holding parasols. French, circa 1840 Clocks incorporating animals reigned supreme during the Louis XV period, at a time when curiosity for new cultures was at its height. The exoticism found expression in the accounts of explorers describing rhinoceros, lions and elephants, which were enthusiastically absorbed into European decorative arts. The elephant acquired a particular aura following the diplomatic gift of the King of Siam to King Louis XIV of an elephant in 1686. Elephants had been used as motifs in horology since the Renaissance period, representing the theme of 'rulership' in the Kunstkammer, as seen in the Augsburg Automaton in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum. The Elephant Clock...

An Elegant Mantle Clock In the Louis XV Manner The clock and its plinth executed in gilt bronze in a dynamic rococo style, rising from scrolling foliage, the dial in the shape of a ...

A symbolic skeleton clock from the French Directoire period. A rectangular Carrara marble plinth with bronze toupie feet with knurled decoration supports an ormolu 'arc-de-ciel', wi...

A Garniture de Cheminée in The Egyptian Manner Constructed in Algerian onyx and ormolu, comprising a large clock and two side pieces; rising f...

A Garniture de Chemineé in the Louis XVI taste By Arnold & Lewis (late Simmons) The mantle clock, and its two matched vases, are constructed in jewelled 'Sèvres' style porcelain, hand and polychrome decorated, with gilt highlights and finely gilt bronze. The clock, rising from toupie feet, supports a rectangular base frame with rounded ends, set with cast stiff leaf decoration, and having inset Roi de Bleu and gilt work panels; over, the circular porcelain dial, signed by the maker (qv) has Roman numerals and blued steel hands, and is set over a central porcelain panel with a bucolic scene, and flanked by elliptical female portraits; the ends are curved and conformingly polychrome and gilt decorated; the whole is surmounted by a decorated twin handled urn, having a pine cone finial, set on an addorsed acanthi gilt bronze base. The two train clock...

A French Clock Garniture in the Louis XVI Manner The clock and its accompanying candelabra constructed in gilt bronze mounted Italian Carrara marble; the timepiece with stepped elli...

A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu wall clock, having Rococo influences to the scroll foliate decoration and cherubs above the eight day striking movement, circa 1880.

Magnificent quality 19th century French Louis XV style ormolu cartel clock with a mechanism signed by H&F Paris. The intricate ormolu body of the cartel clock is beautifully deco...

A most impressive and high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu cartel clock. The clock is raised on its original wall mounting stand with a lovely foliate bottom finial ...

A French Bronze Wall, Cartel Clock Late 19th Century, Solid Bronze, Figural A fine solid bronze large and impressive Wall or Cartel Clock having porcelain Cartouche Roman numera...

A Louis XVI Ormolu Figural Cartel Clock, the circular white enamel dial signed "Baudoin A Paris" within a cartouche-shaped case surmounted by an urn and flanked by two female bust fi...

An exquisite Louis XV style gilt and patinated bronze cartel clock. The eight-day two train bell striking movement, with vertically planted platform cylinder escapement and stamped with S. Marti et Cie MEDAILLE D'ARGENT. 1889 roundel and serial number 647 to backplate. The dial formed as a deep blue and gold flecked enamel dome applied with gilt Roman numerals and stars set within billowing clouds interspersed with sunburst rays. Applied with three patinated bronze cherubs in flight, around the dial attending to a floral garland. Amongst the clouds can be found a pair of doves, a horn and arrows, a quiver and bow. This coupled with the cherubs and flower garland would suggest this clock was made as a love token or wedding present. The symbolism of love, marriage and fertility, the cherubs representing the three Greek Erotes...