European Mantel Clocks

A gilt bronze Empire clock in the form of a classical urn, by Maison Lepautre. French, circa 1825. The dial signed 'Lepaute a Paris'. The clock has an ornate cast bezel with a 3-inch porcelain dial with Roman numerals and Breguet style hands. The twin train eight-day movement with outside count wheel striking on a bell and silk thread suspension. This elegant Empire style clock has a gilt bronze case in the form of a classical urn with swan neck handles and a winged cherub to the neck. The circular pedestal base is raised on a footed stepped square plinth. The Lepaute family were the premier French clockmakers of their day. Their significance lies in their contribution to the clock making industry which had hitherto come under the trade of locksmiths. The family held the brevet Horlogers du Roi. Jean-André Lepaute (1720–1789) arrived in Paris at an early age and in 1740 founded the family business. A skilled artist and mechanic, he quickly gained an excellent reputation. He was received as maître by the clockmakers guild in 1759, was granted royal lodgings from the king in The Luxembourg Palace, and was entrusted with the construction of the majority of the great public clocks of Paris. He executed, amongst others, those in The Luxembourg Palace, the Jardin des Plantes, the Château de Bellevue and the Château des Ternes. His clock at Paris’s École Militaire still works today. Three editions of his Traité d’Horlogerie were published in Paris in 1755, 1760 and 1767. A small volume, Description de Plusieurs Ouvrages d’Horlogerie appeared in 1764. Jean-André’s wife, Nicole-Reine Etable de la Brière (1723-1788), was a highly esteemed mathematician and astronomer. Her passion for science lent itself to Lepaute’s work and she played an active role in the scientific and mathematical aspects of the clock making. Jean-André’s younger brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute (1727-1802) joined him in Paris in 1747 and immediately started working for the family business. He was received as maître in 1776 and was known for the clocks he constructed for the Paris Hôtel de Ville (1780), destroyed in a fire of 1871, and for the Hôtel des Invalides (1784). Jean-Baptiste took over the workshop when Jean-André retired in 1775. After Jean-Baptiste’s death in 1802, the firm was taken over by his nephew Pierre-Basil Lepaute (1750-1843) where he was duly joined by his own nephew Jean-Joseph (1768-1846) and son Pierre-Michel (1785-1849). By 1816, Pierre-Michel Lepaute was in charge of the business. His masterpieces include the astronomical clock in Paris’s Bureau...

A good quality French gilded ormolu, bronze and rouge marble mantel clock, in the Louis XVI style. Having Doves above the clock face, an enamel dial with an eight day movement, chiming on the hour and half hour. Bronze putti on either side play the pipes and mounted on a rouge marble base. Maker name; Hamilton and inches...

A good quality pair of French gilded ormolu and rouge marble candelabra, depicting two putti each supporting a two branch candelabra.

Imposing and magnificent fireplace gilded bronze and blue porcelain vases. The clock is decorated with putti representing the 4 seasons. It is su...

A fine Early 19th century French Empire ormolu bronze mantel clock. Depicting a winged cherub standing atop a barrel while a kneeling lady pouring wine ...

A Good French mantel clock garniture By Charles Oudin, Paris The garniture comprising a clock and two candelabras, constructed in gilt bronze and ‘Se...

A French gilt bronze eight-day four face mantel clock with date, temperature and barometer, circa 1855. Origin: France. Dimensions: Height: 9....

William IV rosewood and bronze bracket clock by Frodsham 185 & Baker, the brass eight-day movement striking on a bell, the backplate numbered ‘292’, the circular brass dial with roman numerals and an engine turned centre, signed ‘Frodsham & Baker Gracechurch St. London‘, in an architectural case with applied panels, the front decorated with a lion and foliage, the corners with quoins, the sides with scrolling leaves and palmettes, with a fan pagoda top with a retractable oriental gateway handle, on leaf scroll feet, with pendulum, winding key and case key. English, circa 1830. William Frodsham was an established London clockmaker. One of his sons, John Frodsham (1785-1849), went into partnership with Baker to form ‘Frodsham and Baker’ in 1809’. They were chronometer makers to the Admiralty and also made wall...

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 fine early 19th century Coalport Porcelain cased timepiece by this famous maker. The elaborate pink ground porcelain case is set with exotic birds and flowers on scroll feet, wi...

By Arthur WAAGEN (active 1869-1910). Japanese-style clock set. Made out of spelter. Representing a young woman dressed in a kimono

A fabulous ormolu-mounted and patinated bronze white and blue turquin marble three-piece clock set of putti. Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of five-light candelabras molded wit...

A Louis XVI style gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain mounted figural clock, Allegorical of the Arts. The dial signed 'Colin, Paris'. The movement stamped 'Vincenti et Cie'. ...

Antique Continental gilt bronze, cut glass, and porcelain clock set Continental, late 19th century Clock: Height 45cm, width 30cm, depth 22cm Candelabra: Height 46cm, width 23cm, ...

A most exquisite French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by topie shaped ormolu supports, The rectangular marble base is deco...