Object Description
This three-piece set—composed of a clock and a pair of flanking candelabra—is a truly unique and delightful piece of decorative art.
The clock is modelled in the image of an 18th-Century sedan chair – that is, a covered chair sat in by a member of the social elite, which was carried on poles by two people. This chair-shaped clock case is crafted from gilt bronze (ormolu) and decorated with festoons and a flower finial. At its centre, there is a circular white enamel dial, which features Arabic Numbers, colourful swag paintings, and the manufacturer’s name, ‘Fd Gervais / Ft du Bronzes / A Paris’. The lower part of the case is glazed, allowing one to see the clock’s sun-burst pendulum. Like a sedan chair, the clock case is carried by two patinated bronze putti, who hold burning torches. These putti serve as link-boys, who would historically light the way for the carriage through the streets of the city. The putti stand on an oval, grey flecked marble base, decorated with gilt bronze mounts, and set on foliate gilt bronze ball feet.
A pair of candelabra flank the central clock. Each candelabrum is composed of five gilt bronze lights, designed to look like bunches of roses. These spring from gilt bronze cornucopias, which are carried by patinated bronze cherubs. The cherubs stand on waisted circular plinths with canted bases, which are mounted with decorative gilt bronze bands and set on foliate gilt bronze bun feet.
Clock- Height 61cm, width 42cm, depth 22cm
Candelabra- Height 63cm, width 25cm, depth 22cm