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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

French Louis XVI Style Doré Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock

Partially verified

This antique Louis XVI style mantel clock features an urn-shaped white marble body decorated with ornate doré bronze mounts. The case is detailed with ribbon-tied swags, foliate scrolls, and floral garlands, complemented by three sculptural putti: one seated atop the urn and two positioned near the stepped base. The circular white porcelain dial displays Arabic hour numerals accompanied by painted floral swags, pierced gilt hands, and twin winding apertures. According to the auction listing, the dial is signed Paris, though the maker's name is worn and difficult to read. The clock rests upon a rectangular white marble plinth supported by gilt-bronze feet.

Front view of French Louis XVI style doré bronze and white marble mantel clock with putti mounts
Front view of French Louis XVI style doré bronze and white marble mantel clock with putti mounts — Hill Auction Gallery. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
76
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The mantel clock is described as an antique French Louis XVI style timepiece featuring a white marble case. The body is an architectural urn-form, decorated with dore bronze ornamentation including floral garlands, ribbon-tied swags, and foliate motifs.

The clock includes three sculptural putti figures: a seated cherub surmounting the case and two additional figures positioned near the base. The piece is supported by a rectangular white marble plinth with gilt-bronze feet. The condition is noted to include age-related wear, surface marks, and oxidation or patina on the metal mounts.

Evidence for this section
  • “Antique French Louis XVI Style mantel clock featuring a white marble case richly mounted with dore bronze ornamentation.”
  • “The architectural urn-form body is embellished with floral garlands, ribbon-tied swags, foliate motifs, and three sculptural putti figures, including a seated cherub surmounting the case and two playful figures flanking the base.”
  • “Raised on a rectangular white marble plinth with gilt-bronze feet.”
  • “Good overall antique condition with typical age-related wear, surface marks, and oxidation/patina to the metal mounts.”

Dial and Mechanism

The clock features a circular porcelain dial adorned with hand-painted floral swags, Arabic numerals, and gilt accents. It includes ornate pierced hands and twin winding apertures.

The dial contains an inscription reading 'Paris,' though the maker's name is reported as worn and difficult to decipher. The internal clock mechanism has not been tested for functionality.

Evidence for this section
  • “The porcelain dial features hand-painted floral swags, Arabic numerals, gilt accents, ornate pierced hands, and twin winding apertures.”
  • “The dial is signed Paris, with the makers name worn and difficult to decipher.”
  • “Clock mechanism has not been tested for functionality; working condition is unknown and not guaranteed.”

Terms and Documentation

The item is noted as 'estate fresh to the market.' The provided description and condition report reflect the opinion of the auction house and do not constitute a statement of fact.

The auction house specifies that all sales are conducted on an 'AS-IS' basis. No warranties are provided regarding the clock's authenticity, attribution, provenance, condition, or merchantability.

Evidence for this section
  • “Estate fresh to the market.”
  • “Note: This condition statement is provided as a courtesy and reflects an opinion, not a statement of fact.”
  • “HAG and the consignor make no warranties regarding authenticity, attribution, provenance, condition, or merchantability.”

Open research questions

  • What specific type of movement is contained within the urn-form case?
  • Does the 'Paris' mark on the dial correspond to a known historical horological workshop?
  • Can the specific metallic composition of the mounts be verified to confirm they are dore bronze?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Louis XVI Style Doré Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case ConstructionWhite marble richly mounted with doré bronze ornamentation“white marble case richly mounted with dore bronze ornamentation”
Dial FeaturesPorcelain dial with hand-painted floral swags, Arabic numerals, gilt accents, and twin winding apertures“porcelain dial features hand-painted floral swags, Arabic numerals, gilt accents, ornate pierced hands, and twin winding apertures”
Dimensions15.5 x 10.5 x 6.5 in.“Dimensions: 15.5 X 10.5 X 6.5 in.”
Dial InscriptionSigned Paris, with maker's name worn“dial is signed Paris, with the makers name worn and difficult to decipher”
Dimensions15.5 x 10.5 x 6.5 inches“Dimensions: 15.5 X 10.5 X 6.5 in.”

Visible details

  • Urn-shaped white marble clock case surmounted by a seated gilt-bronze putto
  • Two sculptural putti positioned at the lower base flanking the urn stem
  • Circular porcelain dial with Arabic hour numerals, painted floral swags, and two winding apertures
  • Pierced gilt-bronze hands set within a beaded and foliate gilt bezel
  • Stepped rectangular white marble base mounted with gilt-bronze foliate feet and scrollwork

Research qualifications

  • Dial maker's signature is worn and unverified beyond the reported Paris marking
  • Clock movement is untested for functionality, and internal condition is not pictured

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

At Auction: French Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Mantel Clock

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 221efbba46

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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