Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

French Second Empire Elephant Mantel Clock

Partially verified

This French mantel clock dates to the Second Empire period, approximately 1860. The design, known as a 'Pendule à l'éléphant', consists of a patinated bronze elephant sculpture supporting a cylindrical gilt-bronze clock housing. The housing is secured to the elephant's back with a gilt strap. The white enamel dial features Arabic numerals with five-minute markers and gilt filigree hands. The movement is an eight-day, bell-striking mechanism with a Brocot adjustment system, featuring the 'VINCENTI & Cie' mark and the text 'MEDAILLE D’ARGENT 1855' on the back plate. The clock includes a glass front door with a beaded bezel. The piece measures 24 cm in height, 22 cm in width, and 12 cm in depth.

Side view of the French Second Empire elephant mantel clock featuring a patinated bronze elephant and gilt-bronze clock housing.
Side view of the French Second Empire elephant mantel clock featuring a patinated bronze elephant and gilt-bronze clock housing. — Chequers Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
VINCENTI & Cie
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1860
Source-reported place
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

Case and Dial Design

The clock is designed as a 'Pendule à l'éléphant' with a patinated bronze elephant sculpture as its base. The elephant is depicted in profile with its trunk raised. Resting on the elephant's back is a cylindrical drum housing made of gilt bronze, which is held in place by a gilt strap.

The dial is constructed from white enamel and features Arabic numerals. It includes a peripheral minute track with five-minute increments. The time is indicated by gilt filigree hands, and a Brocot adjustment port is situated at the top, directly above the numeral 12. The front of the housing is protected by a glass door, which is framed by a beaded bezel.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه اصلی شامل مجسمه فیلی از جنس برنز پتینه‌کاری‌شده است”
  • “بر پشت فیل، محفظه مدور استوانه‌ای (طبلک) ساعت از جنس برنز زراندود (Gilt bronze) قرار گرفته”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس مینای سفید با ارقام عربی و مسیر بیرونی دقیقه‌شمار حاوی نشانگرهای ۵ دقیقه‌ای است”

Movement and Mechanism

The movement is an eight-day mechanism capable of bell striking. It includes a pendulum and is adjusted via a Brocot system, which allows for fine-tuning of the rate. According to the reported information, the movement has been serviced.

Engraved on the back of the movement plate is the official stamp of the workshop, VINCENTI & Cie, along with the inscription 'MEDAILLE D’ARGENT 1855', indicating an award received in 1855. The reported sound of the bell is described as soft.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای کارکرد ۸ روزه با سیستم زنگ ضربه‌زن به کاسه زنگ (Bell striking) و پاندول است”
  • “مهر رسمی کارگاه VINCENTI & Cie به همراه عنوان «MEDAILLE D’ARGENT 1855» قابل مشاهده است”
  • “طبق اعلام فروشنده، موتور به طور کامل سرویس و بازبینی شده و در وضعیت کارکرد کامل قرار دارد.”

Reported Condition

The external appearance of the clock is reported to be in good condition, with the gilt finish maintaining its luster despite minimal polishing wear. The enamel dial contains an old repair located near the 2 o'clock position, along with minor glaze loss around the Brocot adjustment arbor.

The internal red felt lining situated behind the back door has been replaced.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه در وضعیت کلی بسیار خوبی ارزیابی شده و زراندود آن با حداقل آثار پولیش‌کاری، درخشش خود را حفظ کرده است”
  • “بر روی صفحه میناکاری، طبق منبع یک ترمیم قدیمی در حوالی ساعت ۲ و ریزش اندک لعاب در اطراف محور تنظیم بروکوت دیده می‌شود.”
  • “پوشش نمدی قرمز پشت درب تعویض شده است.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific model designation for this elephant clock beyond the generic 'Pendule à l'éléphant' label?
  • Can the 1855 silver medal marking be used to further narrow the production date to the mid-1850s to 1860s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Second Empire Elephant Mantel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerVINCENTI & Cie“VINCENTI & Cie”
Datecirca 1860“حدود ۱۸۶۰”
Mechanism8-day bell striking“موتور ساعت دارای کارکرد ۸ روزه با سیستم زنگ ضربه‌زن به کاسه زنگ (Bell striking)”
Dimensions24 x 22 x 12 cm“ارتفاع: ۲۴ سانتی‌متر عرض: ۲۲ سانتی‌متر عمق: ۱۲ سانتی‌متر”
Movement MarkingsVINCENTI & Cie MEDAILLE D’ARGENT 1855“مهر رسمی کارگاه VINCENTI & Cie به همراه عنوان «MEDAILLE D’ARGENT 1855»”
ConditionRestored enamel dial and replaced felt lining“بر روی صفحه میناکاری، طبق منبع یک ترمیم قدیمی در حوالی ساعت ۲ و ریزش اندک لعاب در اطراف محور تنظیم بروکوت دیده می‌شود. همچنین پوشش نمدی قرمز پشت درب تعویض شده است.”

Visible details

  • Patinated bronze elephant sculpture
  • Gilt-bronze drum-shaped housing
  • Arabic numerals on white enamel dial
  • Brocot adjustment aperture above the numeral 12

Research qualifications

  • Verification of internal component authenticity recommended
  • Confirmation of pendulum and bell integrity requested

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

Consulted source

A French Second Empire Elephant Mantel Clock

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 80f3353d80

Terms in this record

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

Other mantel clock records