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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Mantel clock with elephant figurine

Partially verified

This mantel clock consists of a clock movement and dial integrated into a decorative sculptural base. The central feature is a polychrome porcelain elephant from the Meissener Porzellan Manufaktur, which supports the circular clock housing. A removable figure of a sultan in porcelain sits atop the clock, while a black figure is mounted on the elephant's neck. The entire assembly rests upon a rectangular, gilded bronze base decorated with garlands, rosettes, and depictions of money. The enamel dial is signed "GUDIN/ A PARIS". The movement backplate is engraved with "Gudin AParis", and internal components contain various 19th-century repair inscriptions. The porcelain elements were assembled by a Parisian marchand-mercier, with the bronze mountings added slightly later in a neoclassic style. The object is currently in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, following a history that includes the collection of Dr. Fritz Mannheimer.

Front view of the mantel clock, featuring an elephant support and a seated sultan figure.
Front view of the mantel clock, featuring an elephant support and a seated sultan figure. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Paul Gudin (attributed)
Reference
BK-17503
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-17503
Source-reported date
circa 1753; circa 1760-1765
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

Construction and Design

The clock is composed of a movement housed behind an enamel dial, mounted between decorative porcelain elements. The primary structural component is a polychrome porcelain elephant, which serves as a pedestal for the clock housing. A detachable porcelain figure of a sultan sits on the upper portion of the clock, while a smaller black figure is perched on the neck of the elephant. The assembly is secured to a rectangular base crafted from gilded bronze, which is decorated with relief ornamentation including garlands, rosettes, and representations of coins.

The assembly of these disparate elements was initiated by a Parisian marchand-mercier. The porcelain figures originated from the Meissener Porzellan Manufaktur. While the porcelain figures are dated to approximately 1753, the gilded bronze mountings were added shortly thereafter, in a style described as neoclassic. The total height of the object is 52.5 cm, with a width of 34.6 cm and a depth of 23.5 cm.

Evidence for this section
  • “De porseleinen figuren uit Meissen zijn op aansporing van een Parijse handelaar in luxegoederen, een marchand-mercier, verwerkt in een klok, vermoedelijk omstreeks 1755.”
  • “Korte tijd later is het geheel geplaatst op een verguld bronzen voet in neoclassicistische stijl.”
  • “Klok die wordt gedragen door een olifant van polychroom porselein.”

Signatures and Mechanical Markings

The clock dial bears an enamel signature, "GUDIN A PARIS". The movement backplate is also engraved with the signature "Gudin AParis". The internal springs of both the timekeeping and striking trains contain several inscribed dates and names, which suggest a sequence of maintenance or repair events. Notable inscriptions include mentions of "Gadois Tilleres" from 1837 and 1839, as well as references to "Bussot" and "M S Gudin".

These inscriptions indicate that the clock underwent servicing in the 19th century. The attribution of the original movement to Paul Gudin remains tentative according to the museum documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “signatuur, op wijzerplaat, geëmailleerd: ‘GUDIN/ A PARIS’”
  • “signatuur, op de achterplaat van het uurwerk, gegraveerd: ‘Gudin AParis’”
  • “inscriptie, op de veer van het gaand werk, ingegrift: ‘Gadois Tilleres 1839/ M Godin(?)’”

Provenance and History

The object formed part of the collection of Dr. Fritz Mannheimer in Amsterdam and Paris prior to 1933. Following the bank failure associated with the Mannheimer estate, the clock was handled by Artistic & General Securities Ltd. In 1940, the object was acquired by the Dienststelle Mühlmann for the Führermuseum in Linz.

Following the cessation of hostilities in 1945, the object was subject to war recuperation under the SNK. It was subsequently loaned from the DRVK to the museum in 1952, and transferred formally into the museum's collection in 1960.

Evidence for this section
  • “collection Dr Fritz Mannheimer (1890-1939), Amsterdam and Paris, before 1933”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature of the original mechanism housed within the clock case?
  • Can the specific Parisian marchand-mercier involved in the assembly of the Meissen porcelain and bronze base be identified?
  • What is the full extent of the repairs performed by Gadois and Tilleres in the 1830s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Mantel clock with elephant figurine
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPaul Gudin (mogelijk), Parijs“uurwerkmaker: Paul Gudin (mogelijk), Parijs”
Materialbeschilderd porselein, verguld brons, email“beschilderd porselein, verguld brons, email”
Dial signatureGUDIN A PARIS“signatuur, op wijzerplaat, geëmailleerd: ‘GUDIN/ A PARIS’”
Porcelain originMeissener Porzellan Manufaktur“porseleinfabriek: Meissener Porzellan Manufaktur, Meissen”
Dimensions52,5 cm x 34,6 cm x 23,5 cm“geheel: hoogte 52,5 cm x breedte 34,6 cm x diepte 23,5 cm”
Movement signatureGudin AParis“signatuur, op de achterplaat van het uurwerk, gegraveerd: ‘Gudin AParis’”
Accession numberBK-17503“Objectnummer BK-17503”
ProvenanceCollection Dr Fritz Mannheimer (1890-1939)“collection Dr Fritz Mannheimer (1890-1939), Amsterdam and Paris, before 1933”

Visible details

  • Enamel dial with Arabic numerals and signature
  • Gilded bronze base with garland and rosette motifs
  • Removable porcelain sultan figure atop clock housing
  • Black figure positioned on the neck of the porcelain elephant

Research qualifications

  • Movement attribution to Paul Gudin is considered possible but not confirmed
  • Repair dates and inscriptions on internal springs indicate service history rather than original production details
  • The assembly date of the porcelain figures is cited as an estimate

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

Consulted source

Mantel clock, c. 1760 - c. 1765

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 25d02a8c7a

Terms in this record

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

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