A mere bagatelle for the mantelpiece. 19th century garnitures. Gilt, silver bronze and other fun things.

“Persian” mantel clock garniture with two matching two-light candelabra. The clock with a three and a half inch dial with enamel cartouche numerals, the bell striking movement with Brocot suspension and stamped to the backplate HD. The case supported by metamorphic dragons on a shaped marble plinth with gilt base. ca. 1855. French. Gilt and silvered bronze. Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume, designer. Auguste-Maximillian Delafontaine, maker. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/style-london-furniture-clocks-silver-ceramics/a-gilt-and-silvered-bronze-persian-mantel-clock






Three piece garniture comprised of a central clock and a pair of flanking vases, all veneered in lapis lazuli with gilt bronze mounts. The clock with a central circular drum case holding the movement, fronted by the dial with enamel roundel showing the time in Roman and Arabic numerals. The clock with a hanging pendulum below and with clockworks set within a case flanked by two columns on each side. Two Greek sphinx figures with female heads and the wings of a bird are placed atop the lintel, set in line with the columns and facing outwards. The clock is surmounted by a lidded urn with flowers and fruit. The flanking vases with similar decorations and featuring twin intertwined serpent handles. Neoclassical, made in the late 19th century with the lapis lazuli veneer added later. French. Image © 2022 Mayfair Gallery Limited. Fair use license. via https://www.mayfairgallery.com/gilt-bronze-and-lapis-lazuli-three-piece-clock-garniture

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Garniture with a central mantel clock and pair of flanking candlesticks. Ormolu with the malachite veneer added later. The mantel clock features a shaped malachite base raised by two ormolu toupie feet and two scrolled acanthus leaf feet. The base supports, via a waisted plinth, the circular white enamel clock dial which is inscribed with Arabic numeral hours indices. The dial is contained within an ormolu bezel and is set within the malachite case. The clock case is flanked by twin malachite and ormolu quiver and arrow elements and is surmounted by a malachite urn-form finial draped with ormolu foliate garlands. The candlesticks are similarly decorated, each raised on a conforming malachite and ormolu base and terminating in a single candleholder. Late 19th c,. Neoclassical French. The enamel dial is signed Ovington Brothers Co. / New York / Made in France for the retailer that originally sold the set. Image © 2022 Mayfair Gallery Limited. Fair use license. via https://www.mayfairgallery.com/antique-french-malachite-ormolu-three-piece-clock-set

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