Lemerle Charpentier Clocks

A Palatial French 19th century Louis XVI style gilt bronze mantel clock by Lemerle-Charpentier bronzier. The large rectangular gilt bronze body surmounted with floral scrolls and acanthus and crowned with an urn with wreath decorations. The circular porcelain enameled clock dial...

This exquisite three-piece French bronze and marble clock garniture by Lemerle-Charpentierwith a movement by Samuel Marti and is a superb example of late 19th-century Parisian decorative arts, combining fine sculpture, architectural marble, and precision horology into a unified and highly ornamental ensemble. Comprising a central mantel clock flanked by a matching pair of figural candelabra, the set was designed as a complete decorative statement for a grand salon, mantelpiece, or formal interior. The central clock is mounted in luminous white marble, richly accented with finely chased gilt bronze mounts. Atop the case stands a beautifully modeled putto figure in dark patinated bronze, animated and expressive, holding a torch aloft—an allegorical symbol of enlightenment, time, and knowledge. The contrast between the dark bronze figure, warm gilded details, and cool marble ground creates depth and visual drama. The circular enamel dial with Roman numerals is elegantly framed, underscoring the refined balance between function and ornament. Flanking the clock are a matching pair of bronze figural candelabra, each centered by a sculptural putto standing on a marble base. The figures support scrolling, gilt bronze candle arms terminating in classical bobeches, creating graceful upward movement and symmetry. The sculptural modeling of the figures—soft anatomy, expressive faces, and dynamic poses—demonstrates the high artistic standards expected of Parisian luxury objects during this period. Lemerle-Charpentier: Parisian Masters of Decorative Clocks The set bears the name of Lemerle-Charpentier, a respected Parisian firm active in the second half of the 19th century. Lemerle-Charpentier was renowned not only as a clockmaker, but as a collaborator with elite bronze casters, sculptors, and marble workshops, producing clocks and garnitures that rivaled the finest decorative arts of the era. Their pieces were often signed on the dial or movement, signaling quality, reliability, and fashionable taste. The firm specialized in luxurious mantel clocks, figural garnitures, and exhibition-quality pieces, many of which were exported internationally to decorate aristocratic homes and refined interiors. Lemerle-Charpentier clocks frequently feature award-winning movements paired with elaborate bronze sculpture, making them especially desirable to collectors today. Decorative and Collectible Significance Three-piece clock sets of this caliber were designed to convey status, refinement, and artistic literacy. Today, original Lemerle-Charpentier garnitures are prized for their sculptural quality, historical integrity, and decorative impact. Elegant, cohesive, and richly detailed, this Lemerle-Charpentier bronze and marble clock set is a timeless centerpiece—equally compelling as a functional timepiece and as a work of French sculptural art.Samuel Marti et Cie was one of the most important and respected French clock movement...

French red marble and gilt bronze Neoclassical style matched clock set French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 70cm, width 57cm, depth 23cm Candel...