Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Percier et Fontaine
This is an extraordinary, rare ormolu bronze mantel clock after the original design by Charles Percier (1764-1838) and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine (1762-1853), the founders of the neoclassical Empire style under Napoleon. It features delightful Egyptian and neoclassical motifs and is mounted a base of Sarrancolin marble, engraved Susse Fres Edts / Paris. The bronze is signed Percier et Fontaine and the movement is stamped JAPY FRERES with the number 11671, and the impressed hallmark first used in 1855 following their Medaille D'Honneur achieved that year. Measures: 19.75 x 15 x 9 in; 50 x 38 x 23 cm. It has a twin train eight day movement with time and bell strike that is complete, but no key.
The gilded surfaces are original, and show their wear to the high surfaces, light dirt in crevices and some oxidation as well. Numerals 4 & 8 have light chipping at the arbor hole. A drawing of the original clock can be seen in plate XXXVIII in Receuil de Decorations Interieures, by C. Percier and P.F.L. Fontaine, published in Paris in 1801.
Please note, we do not guarantee the working order of clocks, as they almost always will require adjustment by a professional horologist following shipping. Given the complete movement, it certainly could be put into a working order by a professional horologist.
