French Ormolu Mantle Clock with Glass Dome
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.
- Finial - An architectural decoration, found on the upper parts of of an object. On furniture they are usually found on pediments, canopies and shelf supports. On smaller ceramic or silver items, such as spoons, they may decorate the top of the item itself, or the lid or cover where they provide a useful handle for removal.
Finials have a variety of shapes and forms. They may be urn-shaped, baluster shaped round or spiral, but usually taper into an upper point. Many real life shapes may also be used as finials, such as pineapples, berries, pinecones, buds, lotus and acorns. Sometimes animals such as a lion are depicted, or fish and dolphins.
This item has been included into following indexes:
-
clocks, type
- figural 695
- under glass dome 187
- meat covers / food covers / dish covers - pewter 1,562
Visually similar items
An antique domed gilt and porcelain French clock, late 19th century, movement by Japy Freres et Cie, rear of case marked Brunfaut, the bell striking drum head clock having a porcelain dial with Roman numerals centred with a garland, set within an acanthus
A late 19th century French figural gilt bronze mantle clock and dome, the silvered engine turned dial surmounted by a seated figure of a lady holding a bouquet of flowers, set upon a platform base band of raised arched and scroll motifs, the movement marke
Impressive antique French bronze figural clock of a mother and child on a black slate base
French mantle clock under glass dome, c1880s. Fine Sevres porcelain panels housed in ormolu case. Total height 49 cm, width 44 cm