Object Description
This magnificent five-piece clock set is designed in the style of 18th Century porcelain produced by the famous Sèvres Manufactory in France. The set is comprised of a mantel clock, a pair of flanking vases—which double-up as candelabra—and two candlesticks. The five items are crafted from ‘bleu Sèvres’ (navy) coloured porcelain, which has been finely parcel gilt, jewelled and painted, and mounted in gilt bronze (ormolu).
The mantel clock is composed of a circular porcelain dial, with a central painting of cherubs in flight, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white medallions. This is set within a gilt bronze bezel, crowned by a porcelain lidded urn, fitted with gilt bronze satyr head handles, draped with flower swags, and topped by a gilt bronze grape cluster finial. The clock case is supported on four porcelain columns, which are surmounted by a gilt bronze pinecone-tipped staff, draped with tasselled fabrics. A gilt bronze sculpture of a dancing Maenad (also called a Baccante)—a female follower of the classical god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus (or Bacchus). The woman plays the tambourine and is accompanied by a putto. The clock is placed on a shaped gilt bronze base, with two projecting scrolled wings, decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and porcelain patera. The base is mounted with porcelain paintings of classical trophies, and putti within a gilt bronze cartouche frame. It is set on two gilt bronze feet, which are decorated with pointed porcelain covers and gilt bronze rosettes.
Depending on personal preference, the vases that accompany the clock can be left as they are or made to serve as candelabra. When vases, they are topped by porcelain domed lids, with gilt bronze grape finials. To turn the items into candelabra, these lids are replaced by gilt bronze covers. Each cover is fitted with six gilt bronze branches—five of which are scrolling and decorated with acanthus leaves, and one extends upwards in a straight line. These terminate in wide drip-pans and urn-shaped capitals. The porcelain vase bodies feature fine paintings of couples courting in garden settings, and they are fitted with gilt bronze cherub head handles. The vases stand on splayed stems, ringed by gilt bronze grape vines and laurel wreaths. They are set on square gilt bronze bases, which are mounted with decorative porcelain plaques, and set on gilt bronze toupie feet.
The clock and candelabra are flanked by a pair of candlesticks. These feature urn-shaped capitals, with gilt bronze sconces and foliate stems, set on tapering porcelain bodies. These stand on foliate gilt bronze feet, placed on circular porcelain bases, edged with gilt bronze.
Clock: Height 60cm, width 42cm, depth 19cm
Candelabra: Height 63cm, width 24cm, depth 21cm
Candlesticks: Height 24.5cm, diameter 10cm