French Napoleon III onyx and ormolu portico mantel clock garniture
Fine French Napoleon III green onyx and ormolu three-piece clock garniture, c.1890. The architectural portico case is mounted with gilt bronze ornament and surmounted by a classical female mask. The clock has a painted enamel dial, visible mercury-style pendulum, and an eight-day French movement striking on a coiled gong. Complete with matching pair of covered onyx and ormolu urns.
Style: The clock is in the Louis XVI Revival / Napoleon III style, with four polished onyx columns supporting the case.
Material: Made from green banded onyx (often called Algerian or Mexican onyx in the antiques trade) with gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.
Movement: It has a French eight-day movement with a visible mercury-style pendulum and coiled gong strike, indicating it strikes.
Dial: White enamel dial with hand-painted floral garlands and ornate gilt hands, typical of quality French clocks from the late 19th century.
Garniture: The matching pair of covered urns (cassolettes) means this is a three-piece clock garniture, which is more desirable than the clock alone.
Decoration: The gilt female mask at the top is another common decorative feature of French mantel clocks from this period
Size: 42cm High x 30cm Long x 14cm Deep
French Napoleon III onyx and ormolu portico mantel clock garniture
Fine French Napoleon III green onyx and ormolu three-piece clock garniture, c.1890. The architectural portico case is mounted with gilt bronze ornament and surmounted by a classical female mask. The clock has a painted enamel dial, visible mercury-style pendulum, and an eight-day French movement striking on a coiled gong. Complete with matching pair of covered onyx and ormolu urns.
Style: The clock is in the Louis XVI Revival / Napoleon III style, with four polished onyx columns supporting the case.
Material: Made from green banded onyx (often called Algerian or Mexican onyx in the antiques trade) with gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.
Movement: It has a French eight-day movement with a visible mercury-style pendulum and coiled gong strike, indicating it strikes.
Dial: White enamel dial with hand-painted floral garlands and ornate gilt hands, typical of quality French clocks from the late 19th century.
Garniture: The matching pair of covered urns (cassolettes) means this is a three-piece clock garniture, which is more desirable than the clock alone.
Decoration: The gilt female mask at the top is another common decorative feature of French mantel clocks from this period
Size: 42cm High x 30cm Long x 14cm Deep
