Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Delafontaine

$20,596.82
£15,000
€17,555.54
CA$28,414.76
A$31,235.64
CHF 16,416.02
MX$379,314.41
NOK 204,785.71
SEK 194,020.06
DKK 131,021.42

About the Item

The acclaimed French bronze foundry, Delafontaine, created this remarkable mantel clock. At the time this piece was crafted, in c.1860, the company was directed by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). The firm was famous for its high-quality artistic bronzes, which can today be viewed in major art collections, such as the Louvre in Paris. Shaped like an upside down ‘T’, this gilt bronze (ormolu) clock features a plinth-like clock case, set at the centre of a horizontal rectangular base. The case is topped by a gilt bronze model of a globe, accompanied by a miniature sundial, collection of books, and a laurel branch. Two patinated bronze sculptures of cherubs sit on small gilt bronze stools, either side of the case. These classical, semi-nude cherubs turn to face one another and examine the objects positioned on the top of the case. Collections of gilt bronze books are stacked at their feet. The front of the clock case is mounted with a circular white enamel dial, with Roman Numerals, Arabic Numbers, and the inscription ‘DELAFONTAINE/ FT DE BRONZES/ A PARIS’. The dial is set within a gilt bronze cartouche, draped with a fruit and foliage swag. The clock’s base is intricately decorated with relief scenes, depicting fauns, as well as putti sketching and carving classical sculptures. Strings of flowers hang between them. The base is set on eight toupie feet.
  • Creator:
    Delafontaine, Ft. de Bronzes, Paris, 19th Century (Manufacturer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19.69 in (50 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)Depth: 8.27 in (21 cm)
  • Style:
    Napoleon III (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1860
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 159491stDibs: LU956313936232

More From This Seller

View All
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
By Miroy Frères
Located in London, GB
This sophisticated gilt bronze mantel clock is an elegant piece of mid-19th century design, beautifully cast and gilded and set with two delicate Sèvres style porcelain panels. The clock case's finest feature is the charmingly naturalistic scene at its top, showing a full-length sculpture of a female figure sitting with a basket and two doves. They are displayed on a naturalistic, oval-shaped plinth, which is decorated all around its exterior with painstakingly intricate foliate motifs. Either side of the plinth there are two Sevres style porcelain panels, each of which shows a winged putto. One putto is shown writing, while the other is shown holding a dove. Each is set inside a turquoise blue border decorated with delicate gilt scrolls. In the centre of the plinth sits the clock dial, which is enamelled and contains Roman numerals. It is signed 'Prize Medal 1851 / Miroy Fres Brevetes / Paris' after the clock's maker, Miroy Freres...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock Commemorating Napoleon
Located in London, GB
Large gilt bronze mantel clock commemorating Napoleon French, circa 1840 Measures: Height 57cm, width 40cm, depth 15cm The gilt bronze m...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Antique Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Commemorating Napoleon Bonaparte
By LeRoy
Located in London, GB
This fine mantel clock is cast entirely in ormolu by celebrated Parisian clockmaker Leroy and commemorates the return of Napoleon's ashes to France in 1840. The clock is set on a rectangular, tiered base with four decorative feet. The lower tier is centred with a sleeping lion above a plaque showing the scarf, sword and hat of Napoleon. There is a relief plaque above the lion showing a ship off St Helena (the location of Napoleon's exile) and to either side further decorations formed as martial trophies. To the top of the plaque is a portrait medallion of Napoleon with winged cherubs and the letter 'N'. The circular dial of the clock, signed 'Leroy a Paris', is set to the centre above the base within an ormolu border and flanked by the figures of France and an eagle to either side. Between them they hold an urn, which bears the inscription 'Ste Helene / 5 Mai 1821'. The figure of France holds a flag inscribed 'France 1840.' This clock was produced in 1840 by Parisian clockmaker Leroy et fils...
Category

Antique 1840s French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Gilt-Bronze Clock with Enamel Numerals Attributed to Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze clock with enamel numerals attributed to Henri Picard French, circa 1860 Measures: Height 73cm, width 45cm, depth 23cm The elaborate case of this beautiful mantel clock has a large central circular dial with enamel Roman numerals for the hours and engraved on the edge with Arabic numbers for the minutes. The surmount is a gilt bronze group of Father Time, depicted as an elderly male figure seated on a circular globe. The quality throughout is exceptional, demonstrating the very best of 19th century craftsmanship. This clock is after a design by André-Charles Boulle (French, 1642-1732) and similar to examples of equally fine quality and casting known to have been made by 19th Century bronzier Henri Picard (French, fl. 1831-1864), therefore we can attribute the case to Picard. The movement is stamped for Parisian clock...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Michel-François Piolaine
By Michel-François Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive gilt bronze mantel clock is by the French Michel-François Piolaine. The clock body is raised by an architecturally formed, plinth-shaped base, set to the fr...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

You May Also Like

Napoleon III Bronze Clock XIXth
Located in Beaune, FR
Large clock in gilded and patinated bronze from the Napoleon III period dating from the 19th century. This clock is of very high quality, complete and in very good condition. Dimens...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in gilt and patinated bronze, period Napoleon III, 19th century. Good working condition Measures: H: 38 cm, W: 28 cm, D: 8 cm.
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Fine Napoleon III Bronze Dore Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautifully detailed 19th century bronze dore clock with the figure of cupid on the top.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

GUICHE Palais Royal - Gilt Bronze Clock with Puttis
Located in Beaune, FR
Very pretty model for this gilded bronze clock from the Napoleon III period in Louis XV rocaille style dating from the 19th century. Very good quality of gilding and entirely origina...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Double-Faced Clock. French, c 1870
By Julien Le Roy
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare Napoléon III gilt bronze double-faced clock. The white enameled dial signed 'Julien Le Roy A PARIS'. This rare Rococo style figural clock h...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine large 19th century French gilt bronze mantel clock modeled in form of a classical lady wearing a toga sitting amidst broken columns as she is looking up while holding an angel...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze