Live Auction 7841500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe
Christie’s roundel
Lot 188

A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE

BY DENIÈRE, PARIS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

Closed29 April 2010

Price Realised

GBP 34,850

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A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE
BY DENIÈRE, PARIS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of ten-light candelabra CASE: surmounted by an ovoid-vase with pomegranate finial above muses emblematic of astronomy and geography, atop an eared rectangular base with toupie feet DIAL: the white enamel dial signed 'Denière Ft de Bronze/A Paris', pierced and engraved ormolu hands MOVEMENT: with twin barrels, anchor escapement and rack strike on bell, the backplate stamped '4160 DENIERE A PARIS'; pendulum, the candelabra with lily-spray branches supported by a nymph
The clock: 28½ in. (72.5 cm.) high
The candelabra: 39½ in. (100 cm.) high (3)

Specialist note

The original design for this mantel clock may be firmly attributed to Etienne Martincourt (maître 1762). At least four 18th century examples are documented, one of which supplied to Louis XVI for the Salle du Conseil at the Tuileries, circa 1773-7, and now in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu (see G. Wilson et al, European Clocks in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 1996, no. XVI, pp. 114-123).

In 1844 Guillaume Denière took over the Parisian business established by his father in 1804, producing a variety of high quality decorative bronzes. Denière supplied important commissions to the Mobilier de la Couronne, to Kisselef, the Russian Ambassador, and to Said Pasha, the viceroy of Egypt.