French Bronze & Enamel Mounted Onyx Pedestal

French Gilt Metal Mounted Onyx Pedestal, 20th century, with a later square white marble top on an oak parquetry revolving stand. 42.75" H x 11" W x 11" D.

French Gilt Metal Mounted Alabaster Pedestal, late 19th century, the square revolving top above a Corinthian column, on a square stepped plinth. 44" H x 12.5" W x 12.5" D.

This colorful pedestal clock has been crafted from fine red marble and green onyx, and beautifully decorated with gilt bronze (ormolu) and champlevé enamel. While a popular crafts material in ancient times, onyx was largely forgotten about until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century in Algeria by a French marble-worker called Delmonte. Onyx became highly fashionable in France following this discovery, and it was used to create a variety of decorative art objects. The clock features a green onyx cube-shaped case, which is surmounted by a slightly projecting red marble top. This top is fringed with champlevé enamel drapery-like motifs, with gilt bronze drop-finials. The case is mounted on its front with a circular dial, which features a central floral champlevé enamel motif, encircled by black Arabic Numerals. This dial is set within a gilt bronze egg-and-dart and champlevé enamel bezel. The sides of the case are mounted with circular gilt bronze barometers...

This elegant continental multi-color marble "Selette" was crafted in France, circa 1980. The Napoleon III style pedestal sits on a thick sturdy square plinth embellished with a bronz...