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Japonisme Mantel Clocks

JAPONISME STYLE

In the late 19th and early 20th century, France developed an enduring passion for Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. Not only did this interpretation of Japanese culture — which became known as Japonisme — infuse fresh energy into French art and design, but it also radically transformed how Europeans, and subsequently the world, would come to understand visual culture. 

Until 1853, Japan had been closely guarded against foreign visitors for over two centuries. However, American Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed into Japan that year and initiated the first of its treaties with the United States and Europe, thereby opening its borders and giving the West its first-ever look at Japanese design. 

For the next few decades, taken with Japonisme, sophisticated collectors in Paris, New York and elsewhere gorged themselves on lacquered screens, celadon ceramics and netsuke ornaments, along with artworks depicting various aspects of Japanese life. The East Asian country’s influence on Europe, particularly France, contributed to one of the most creatively prosperous periods in history, leaving an imprint on the Impressionist, Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, and inspiring artists like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Vincent van Gogh as well as luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Japonisme emerged at the time when the ornate Renaissance Revival style was the most prominent mode of decorating in Europe, and Japanese aesthetics seemed strikingly modern and elegant in comparison. 

In addition to everyday practical objects from Japan, such as vases, tableware and decorative boxes, Japanese art, especially Japanese woodblock prints by masters of the ukiyo-e school, caught the eye of many artists — particularly those in the Art Nouveau poster community in 1880s Paris. The luscious organic colors associated with traditional Japanese design, motifs like cherry blossoms and carp and the vivid patterns found in woodblock prints, silks and more were adopted and appropriated by painters as well as ceramicists and those working in other fields of the decorative arts. Today, demand for Japanese lacquerware — furniture, trays, writing boxes, screens, incense burners — from the Edo period (1615–1868) and the late 19th century continues to be very strong among collectors.

Find a collection of antique Japonisme furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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Style: Japonisme
Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture
Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture

Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Guaynabo, PR

Tiffany's clock case with enamel roman numbers and bronze snake dials. At the top, the clock is adorned with an Indian palace gallery and dome that has a crane finial over it and dragon head legs. The rectangular clock...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Rare "Japonism" earthenware mantel clock from Vieillard manufactory, circa 1880
Rare "Japonism" earthenware mantel clock from Vieillard manufactory, circa 1880

Rare "Japonism" earthenware mantel clock from Vieillard manufactory, circa 1880

By Amedee de Caranza

Located in Paris, FR

A polychrome earthenware mantel clock made by the Jules Vieillard & Cie manufactory in Bordeaux, circa 1880. An identical clock is held in the collections of the Museum of Decora...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Earthenware

An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Five Piece Clock Set
An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Five Piece Clock Set

An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Five Piece Clock Set

By Edouard Lievre

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Five-Piece Clock Set, In the Manner of Edouard Lièvre, circa 1870, Paris. This extraordinary French Japonisme clock set, ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

"Pagoda" Clock attr. to L'Escalier de Cristal, France, circa 1885
"Pagoda" Clock attr. to L'Escalier de Cristal, France, circa 1885

"Pagoda" Clock attr. to L'Escalier de Cristal, France, circa 1885

By L'Escalier de Cristal

Located in PARIS, FR

Beautiful Japonisme clock in openwork patinated bronze with gold and silver highlights in the shape of a pagoda, at the corners presenting stylized dragons above uprights imitating b...

Category

1880s French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Style Clock attr. to L'Escalier de Cristal, France, Circa 1885
Japanese Style Clock attr. to L'Escalier de Cristal, France, Circa 1885

Japanese Style Clock attr. to L'Escalier de Cristal, France, Circa 1885

By L'Escalier de Cristal

Located in PARIS, FR

Rare Japanese clock in double patina bronze with suspended dial. The portico and dial, with calligraphic Kanji numerals complemented by hands featuring an undulating dragon, are deco...

Category

1880s French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

A Japonisme Gilt-Bronze and Brass Three-Piece Clock Set
A Japonisme Gilt-Bronze and Brass Three-Piece Clock Set

A Japonisme Gilt-Bronze and Brass Three-Piece Clock Set

Located in London, GB

A Japonisme gilt-bronze and brass three-piece clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: height 52cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm Candelabra: height 55cm, width 32cm, depth 9cm Made in F...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Antique French Japonisme Silvered Bronze and Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Set
Antique French Japonisme Silvered Bronze and Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Set

Antique French Japonisme Silvered Bronze and Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Set

Located in London, GB

Antique French Japonisme silvered bronze and porcelain three-piece clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: Height 36cm, width 32cm, depth 17cm Candelabra: Height 28cm, width 26...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Style Gilt Brass Clock Set with Silvered Brass and Porcelain Mounts
Japanese Style Gilt Brass Clock Set with Silvered Brass and Porcelain Mounts

Japanese Style Gilt Brass Clock Set with Silvered Brass and Porcelain Mounts

Located in London, GB

This Japanese style clock set was crafted in France in circa 1880. The set consists of a central clock, which is accompanied by two vases. The central clock features a gilt brass rectangular body with a pitched top, like a pavilion roof. The roof is mounted with wavy, silvered brass forms, and topped by a silvered brass ball finial, with a pointed end, which is bracketed by wavy forms. Mounted onto the four corners of the clock’s front facade are silvered dragons and cloud-like motifs. The central panel is recessed, and contains the gilt brass circular clock dial, inscribed with Roman Numerals. The centre of the clock dial is decorated with embossed flowers and a circular, red form, with a painting of a bird at its centre. The dial is signed with the retailer’s name, ‘ALEX'R M HAYS, NEW YORK’. The space below the dial is ornamented with relief flowers, a black porcelain triangle, which is overlaid with floral designs, and a dark blue porcelain fan, decorated with buildings. They are accompanied by the porcelain figure of a Japanese woman, wearing a kimono and seated at a koto. Similar recessed panels, featuring porcelain birds and coloured geometric forms, decorate the sides of the clock body. These are mounted with wavy, silvered brass shapes, which serve as handles. The clock body is set on a rectangular, silvered brass base, which is raised up on four bracket feet, and features a cloud-like silvered brass apron. The vases that accompany the clock have tall, soft-edged rectangular bodies, and are decorated in a similar style to the central clock. They likewise feature silvered brass finials, handles and bases, and gilt brass bodies, which are decorated with embossed flowers, geometric painted porcelain shapes, and Japanese figures. Unlike the clock, however, the vases feature full-length portraits of standing Japanese figures. One vase depicts a woman, who wears a kimono and raised wooden shoes (geta), and who holds a parasol and fan. On the other vase, the image shows a man dressed in a haroi jacket, with a kosode and trousers underneath, and sandals on his feet. He holds a knife and circular, metal shield, and carries a katana sword...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock
French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock

French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock

Located in London, GB

French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock French, 19th Century Height 30cm, width 18cm, depth 14.5cm This fine mantel clock is of rectangular form, with a gilt bron...

Category

19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Enamel

Antique French Japonisme Mantel Clock with Floral Champlevé Enamel
Antique French Japonisme Mantel Clock with Floral Champlevé Enamel

Antique French Japonisme Mantel Clock with Floral Champlevé Enamel

Located in London, GB

Antique French Japonisme mantel clock with floral Champlevé enamel French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 51cm, width 27.5cm, depth 22cm Beautifully wrought from patinated bronze and champlevé enamel, this mantel clock is designed in the Japonisme style. The style was popular in 19th Century Europe following the opening of Japan to trade and cultural exchange. The clock stands on four cabriole feet, with a pierced Japanese style apron to the bottom. The central case is stepped, with the main section of rectangular profile, and mounted with pierced patinated bronze vines...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set
Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set

Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set

Located in London, GB

Antique three-piece Meiji period Japonisme vase clock set French/Japanese, late 19th century Measures: Clock height 47cm, diameter 22cm Candelabra height 55cm, width 25cm, depth 2...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Japanese Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set
Japanese Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set

Japanese Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set

By Japy Frères

Located in London, GB

This beautiful clock set is designed in a fanciful Japanese style, known in France in the 19th Century as ‘Japonisme’. The style became highly fashionable in Europe after 1853, when ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Japonisme Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

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Located in New Orleans, LA

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Previously Available Items
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Bronze

Art Deco Style Chinoiserie Mantel Clock w. Handpainted Males, Females and Dragon
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Located in Lisse, NL

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Early 20th Century French Japonisme Mantel Clocks

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French Japonisme Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Famile Verte Porcelain Clock Garniture
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French "Japonisme" Gilt-Bronze Mounted Three-Piece Porcelain Clock Garniture
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Japonisme mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Japonisme mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 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, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme mantel clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mantel clocks, popular names associated with this style include Japy Frères, Adalbert Waagen, Imari Porcelain, and Tiffany & Co.. 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 $1,498 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $13,500.