Spelter Clocks

Elegant French Victorian era gilt bronze mounted alabaster antique mantel clock / shelf clock, attributed to master Parisian sculptor P.H. Mourey (1840-1910), with movement by renowned clockmaker Japey Frères (1776-1930s) circa 1870 Paris, France, second half of the 19th century, executed in luxurious Louis XVI taste, tastefully appointed, the neutral alabaster creates the perfect backdrop against the brilliant gilding. Having a soft, warm, creamy off-white alabaster base with subtle chalky beige undertones, shaped, with rounded sides, step molding and two hand-painted blue enamel parcel gilt turned tapering urn forms, raised on brass feet, decorated with lavish gilt metal ornamentation, including accents, ormolu flaming urn finials, unique recessed gilt brass perforated-like textured panels, and sculptural gilt bronze raised drum-form case, housing the classic white porcelain enameled dial with black Roman numerals, sophisticated gold-tone Breguet hands, framed by a beaded bezel, with must likely the original operational 8-day key-wind Japy Fils movement enclosed. Surmounted by an ornate brilliantly gilded spelter figural sculpture, finely detailed, depicting young boy and girl courting, holding a bird's nest with eggs over the housing, with large branching tree behind them, the couple posed leaning in to each other, wavy garb with incised detailing, standing on the alabaster base. Philippe H. Mourey (French, 1840-1910) was a master French sculptor, who produced a range of fine decorative art objects in the late 19th century. His work often combines painted porcelain panels and gilt metal mounts, similar to elements of this piece. PH Mourey was best known for his association with Japy Freres & Co. the noted 19th century Paris Clockmaker, and maker of this clocks movement. Mourey’s work can be viewed in various museums, especially in France, as well as major art collections, including the Royal Collection Trust in London. The Japy Frères workshop (1776-1930s) was started by Frédéric Japy in 1776 under a different name, eventually the iconic French clock and watchmaking firm was founded in 1806 by Frédéric Japy along with his sons, Pierre, Fritz and Louis, thus creating the trademark we know today, ‘Japy Freres’ or (Japy Brothers). Japy Frères won a number of medals at important exhibitions and achieved international recognition throughout much of the nineteenth century, including the prestigious Grand Medal of Honour, which was awarded to Japy in 1855 at the important Exposition Universelle Paris. - MARKS / SIGNED / HALLMARKED: Works stamped "Japy Fils depos 1855 medailler 1844 1840" circular medallion; "RS" within square, "2949" "55" Case housing: stamped "44", case underside "44" written in pencil, incised "IX", elaborate illegible writing in pencil, last word may say "Richebois?", possibly where the clock was to be sent or who it was commissioned by PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION: 09/2024- Acquired from the reputable auction house, Dallas Auction Gallery, Dallas Texas. Great Estates, Fine Art, Furniture & Design auction catalog, lot#0064 Owned and curated by Reyne Hirsch, a long time media personality and expert in 20th century decorative arts. Hirsch was a top appraiser for Antiques Roadshow on PBS for 13 years. She's also a leading contributer to the Huffington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, amongst other publications. Hirsch has also founded highly regarded permanent art galleries as well as important exhibits throughout the United States. DIMENSIONS: (approx) 12" Tall, 12" Wide, 5" Deep CONDITION REPORT: Good original unrestored antique condition, especially considering its age, attractive appearance, patina, bright lustrous gilding, and working movement. Nicely aged patina over the whole, antique character and charm throughout, including rubbing to blue enamel with significant losses, age related patination, oxidation, tarnishing throughout, minor chips, nicks, abrasions to alabaster edges, all typical wear consistent with age, use, handling and exposure. Currently working, observed operating over long periods and keeping accurate time. Key, pendulum and bell included. Please note, as with all antique clocks...

Original 1900 Antique German Junghans Diana Lady Statue 8 Day Swinging Clock Beautiful spelter Lady Diana statue with a black stained wood base. Hand painted 2" porcelain dial. Cloc...

French Art Deco mantel clock set in the Süe & Mare style by Limousin, France, 1918-1920. Spelter, marble, bronze and brass. Clockmaker: E.Brondeau (Limoges). Sculptor: G.Limousin. "E...

This French Art Deco mantel clock set, designed by Georges Limousin in the 1920s, features a striking combination of materials including spelter, marble, bronze, brass, and glass. In...

Antique French onyx and clock having a quality painted dial, original hands and eight day movement striking on the hour and half hour on a bell. A beautiful quality onyx case surmoun...

A spectacular Art Deco illuminated clock featuring a sculpture of the water carrier / Nude with Vase. The exquisite geometric design of the clock c...

Antique French mantel clock by Francois Moreau. Circa 1900. In good working condition. Please contact us directly for a worldwide shipping quote

A Spectacular Art Deco Clock Featuring the Sculpture “Waiting” by the Italian Art Deco Artist “Uriano” Signed on the back of the lady’s dress. This piece depicts a seated lady on ...

An exceptional and difficult to find Art Deco Garniture Clock Set depicting a young lady looking down at birds below. Set between lovely Garnitures of cups or vases with tapered shap...

Gorgeous Art Nouveau clock set from the 1890s by Italian artist Francesco Flora made in Paris France. Francesco Flora is known for making gorgeous fe...

A magnificent Art Deco clock featuring an impressive sculpture in the Japanese Meiji style, depicting two tigers in mid-attack on an elephant. Cast in cold-painted spelter, the scene...

A fantastic example of a wonderful Art Deco Mantel Clock made of Marble, Spelter and Onyx by Albert Villon for Bayard from the 1930s With 2 Leaping Bronzed Deer. Clock is untested

An Art Deco figural clock garniture set, circa 1920s-30s, Two daring Art Deco ball dancers elegantly positioned either side of the white enamel di...

Original, well-preserved Art Deco mantel or table clock from France around 1930. Marble base in dark (Porto) and light marble. At the top a spelter cast of an albatross bird sculptur...

A Louis XVI style cartel wall clock, made in France circa 1880-1890. The case is made of casted spelter (metal alloy) and fitted with four beveled mirror glass. The dial is covered w...

Antique Belle époque sculptural three-piece clock set after Auguste Moreau French, early 20th century Measures: Clock height 81cm, width 40cm...

19th century fine antique large French three piece clock set having a fisherman in period dress standing in a boat and looking out to sea sup...

Large French Art Nouveau Mantel Clock and Garniture This impressive clock set features a woman and child holding a floral branch with a bird perched above. A striking centrepiece...

This beautiful clock was crafted in France in the late 19th century. The clock is a monument to this period of industrialisation and technological innovation, being decorated with an...

Art Deco 1930 pendulum dancer in regulates on marble base portor movement of the pendulum to be revised or repaired.

A very stylish antique French Art Deco clock cold-painted figural bronze & marble three piece garniture, circa 1925. The garniture comprising three pieces, to the center the clock of geometric stepped form with four colors of variegated marble and is adorned with a a cold-painted bronzed spelter female beauty playing a tambourine and to the right size is a young girl dancing, the larger of the two figures is signed by the artist " E. Seca ". The clock dial having a stepped brass bezel surround, the rectangular clock...

Mantelpiece set consisting of 3 pieces, a clock and 2 vases, all in patinated spelter and green marble The clock is decorated with a Cupid tenderly holding a bird in his arms, leanin...

Outstanding quality antique Victorian clock garniture, with spelter figure decoration having a figure of a girl holding a birds nest, and two ...

Clock Man - Wind-up clock with key - Spelter, hand-painted We prefer to sell our items in 'uncleaned' condition so that the new owner still has the choice to remove the patina (si...

An antique French bronzed spelter clock set with its pair of matching gilt candelabra / garniture. The finely cast figurine of a lady holding a manuscript is entitled Poésie and ...

1900 pendulum in golden spelter under glass globe. The dimensions are 37 cm high, 32 cm wide and 16 cm deep Additional information: Material: Regulates.

A very impressive 19th century cold painted and patinated bronzed Spelter statue of an Arab girl in front of a castellated clock tower. The white enamel clock face with an eight day ...

Ep 1900 table clock in spelter decorated with a triton surmounted by a cherub, on a base, the movement certainly does not work. The dimensions are 24 cm h...