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Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

CHINOISERIE STYLE

Emerging in the 17th century, chinoiserie appropriated the aesthetics and imagery of popular East Asian design for European-made versions. Reflecting the exoticization of China, Japan and other countries in this era, the word directly translates from French to “Chinese-esque,” which reveals its shortcomings as a style of furniture and decor that often stereotypically and reductively mimics Asian culture rather than showcasing and paying tribute to its artistic traditions.

The enthusiastically decorative chinoiserie style was propelled by influential tastemakers including French King Louis XIV, whose Trianon de Porcelaine in 1670 was inspired by Chinese architecture. Expanded trade between the East and West led to a demand for porcelain, lacquer objects, silk and other goods, which further informed the fanciful furniture being crafted in Europe.

Artisans working in the chinoiserie style used materials and elements like pagoda shapes, bamboo, lacquer surfaces, bird and flower motifs and other interpretations of Asian design on pieces that were frequently set against vibrant wallcoverings. This whimsical approach yielded chinoiserie furniture that boasted dramatic flourishes drawing on the natural world and reflected the dominance of Rococo during the 18th century.

As chinoiserie was shaped by approximations of Asian design by European creators, it had regional variations, such as Chinese Chippendale in England where cabinets, chairs and tea tables had wooden fretwork designs and “japanned” surfaces intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia. In North America, furniture makers in Boston and New York integrated chinoiserie-painted scenes into Queen Anne furniture.

Antique chinoiserie furniture has continued to be fashionable, from its popularity with decorators of the Hollywood Regency era — James Mont, Tommi Parzinger, William Haines and Samuel Marx favored the style — to contemporary interior designers, although it brings with it a complex history.

Find a collection of chinoiserie bedroom furniture, cabinets, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.

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Style: Chinoiserie
French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style French, late 19th century Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Oriental Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set was designed in France in the late 19th century in a fanciful ‘Oriental’ style. The set is comprised of a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra, all of which have been...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Chinoiserie decorated Mantel clock circa 1930s
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated Mantel clock circa 1930s Cream in colour Top with Scroll shaped pediment Decoration With, Flowers, Foliage, Figure, Bridge & Building Circular enamel dial, Dom...
Category

1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Lacquer

Louis XV Ormolu Mntd. Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Elephant Clock w/ Snail
Located in New York, NY
An Exceptionally Rare 18th Century Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Elephant, Snail, and Flower Mantel Clock. The clock drum is painted with floral reserves on a yellow-ground porcelain case, surmounted by a seated monkey modeled in cream-glazed porcelain. The dial is inscribed “MILLOT / Her DU ROY,” referring to the Parisian clockmaker Millot, horloger du roi, and retains its original single-barrel movement with platform lever escapement. The interior of the case bears a stamped “B.” The entire composition is supported by a scrolling structure of polychrome porcelain flowers mounted on ormolu branches, leading to a central Meissen figure seated on a saddled elephant, positioned on an elaborately cast gilt bronze rocaille base. The composition centers around a chinoiserie theme, which was highly fashionable in mid-18th century France, particularly during the reign of Louis XV. In this example, the chinoiserie elements are expressed through the seated porcelain figure in Chinese dress, riding atop a caparisoned elephant with a vibrantly painted red and gold saddle and bright yellow cushion. The elephant, modeled with expressive naturalism, features finely detailed ears, trunk, and legs in Meissen’s distinctive hand-painted porcelain, with further ornamentation in applied gilding. Surrounding the central figure and timepiece is an elaborate framework of metal branches issuing dozens of individually modeled porcelain blossoms. These include peonies, roses, and tulips in various stages of bloom, each petal uniquely hand-shaped and painted in hues of lilac, ivory, pink, and violet, with naturalistic green leaves extending outward on slender bronze stems. The gilt bronze mount is executed in the Rococo taste, with asymmetrical shell forms, Snails, C-scrolls, and foliate scrollwork typical of French bronze work from the Louis XV period. The ormolu is mercury-gilded, a process common in the 18th century which involved the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury to the surface of the bronze, followed by firing to vaporize the mercury. This technique created a matte yet luminous surface, prized for its depth and lasting quality. The ormolu is cast in a deeply three-dimensional style, with scrolled feet and boldly molded foliate ornaments that cradle the base of the Meissen elephant...
Category

18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

L'Escalier de Cristal, Oriental Clock, France, circa 1890
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Chinese style clock in the shape of a covered pot, in porcelain painted in imitation of Chinese cloisonné enamel and decorated with a two-patina bronze mount. The dome-shaped co...
Category

1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Chinoiserie Style Gilt-Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare Chinoiserie style gilt-bronze and enamel figural clock. This elegant and sophisticated clock has a finely chiselled gilt-bronze case with gold and enamel highlights. It dep...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Blue Porcelain Elephant Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
A French Garniture de Cheminée in the Chinoiserie Taste Constructed in blue turquoise porcelain with gilt highlights, Algerian onyx and bronze, ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Original circa 1920's Asprey London Chinoiserie Mantle Clock Lovely Decoration
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely original circa 1920’s Asprey London Chinoiserie mantle clock A very decorative and well made piece, r...
Category

1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This clock set is designed in a wonderful ‘chinoiserie’ style. This style was inspired by the art of China, and it was very fashionable in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. The ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Very Fine 19th Century French Chinoiserie Silver and Gilt Three-Piece Garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An important & rare silvered and gilt bronze 3-piece Chinoiserie clock garniture comprising a clock and two side pieces. The Pagoda form clock with 2 Chinese figures, one sitting pla...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Chinese Cloissoné Mantel Clock
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Chinese Cloisonné Mantel Clock Decorate your mantlepiece with this intricately designed cloisonné clock. The clock face is ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal

Fine quality antique Edwardian chinoiserie decorated mantle clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fine quality antique Edwardian chinoiserie decorated mantle clock, having a quality antique Edwardian shaped mantle clock with fantastic chinoiserie decoration throughout, having a p...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Shreve Crump & Low Boston Chinoiserie Decorated Tole Mantel Clock - Swiss Mov't
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swiss, retailed by Shreve Crump & Low Boston circa 1900. Edwardian mantel clock housed in a bell top case with raised chinoiserie scenes on a yellow ground resting on gilded block ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel

Antique Samson Porcelain and Ormolu Chinoiserie Elephant Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Samson porcelain and ormolu Chinoiserie elephant clock French, Late 19th Century Height 24cm, width 17cm, depth 13cm This exquisite and...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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Previously Available Items
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

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Located in Bradenton, FL
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Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

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Located in Newark, England
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Located in Belper, Derbyshire
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Chinoiserie mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mantel clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ormolu and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie mantel clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mantel clocks, popular names associated with this style include Andre Romain Guilmet, Asprey & Garrard Limited, Hamilton & Inches Ltd., and Jaeger-LeCoultre. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mantel clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $774 and tops out at $48,500 while the average work can sell for $8,570.

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