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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
Fine quality antique Edwardian chinoiserie decorated mantle clock
Fine quality antique Edwardian chinoiserie decorated mantle clock

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
Shreve Crump & Low Boston Chinoiserie Decorated Tole Mantel Clock - Swiss Mov't

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

Louis XV Ormolu Mntd. Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Elephant Clock w/ Snail
Louis XV Ormolu Mntd. Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Elephant Clock w/ Snail

Louis XV Ormolu Mntd. Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Elephant Clock w/ Snail

By Meissen Porcelain

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

Chinoiserie decorated Mantel clock circa 1930s
Chinoiserie decorated Mantel clock circa 1930s

Chinoiserie decorated Mantel clock circa 1930s

By Maple & Co.

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

Antique French Chinoiserie Ormolu and Porcelain garniture Set in St of E. Liever
Antique French Chinoiserie Ormolu and Porcelain garniture Set in St of E. Liever

Antique French Chinoiserie Ormolu and Porcelain garniture Set in St of E. Liever

Located in New York, NY

An elegant and high quality French 19th century Chinoiserie ormolu, silvered bronze and porcelain clock garniture in the style of Edouard Lievre mounted with Chinese famille verte po...

Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

L'Escalier de Cristal, Oriental Clock, France, circa 1890
L'Escalier de Cristal, Oriental Clock, France, circa 1890

L'Escalier de Cristal, Oriental Clock, France, circa 1890

By L'Escalier de Cristal

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

French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style

French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style

By Creil et Montereau

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

Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra
Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra

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
Very Fine 19th Century French Chinoiserie Silver and Gilt Three-Piece Garniture

Very Fine 19th Century French Chinoiserie Silver and Gilt Three-Piece Garniture

Located in Tarzana, 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

Chinoiserie Style Gilt-Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock
Chinoiserie Style Gilt-Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock

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

Oriental Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Oriental Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

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

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Louis XV ormolu mantel clock by Charles du Tertre, in the Chinoiserie style
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Louis XV ormolu mantel clock by Charles du Tertre, in the Chinoiserie style

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Located in Belper, Derbyshire

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Located in Bradenton, FL

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Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Diminutive Chinoiserie Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Diminutive Chinoiserie Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

Diminutive Chinoiserie Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

Located in New York, NY

French 19th century diminutive chinoiserie champlevé clock set with a seated Buddha figure in the middle.  

Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

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.