Ch. Paris Napoleon III marble and gilt bronze mantel clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This 19th-century French mantel clock dates to the Napoleon III period and features an architectural case constructed from richly veined dark green serpentine marble.
The design is heavily embellished with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, including classical columns, foliate borders, decorative garlands, and intricate scrollwork. A prominent central figural relief depicts a cherub standing between two reclining lions, adding a classical motif to the composition. The clock is set upon decorative gilt bronze feet and is finished with flame-form finials at the summit. The white enamel dial is marked with black Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes, complemented by pierced hands.
The clock's movement is signed by the maker, Ch. Paris. The overall construction displays the ornamental, ornate style characteristic of Second Empire French horology, combining high-contrast stonework with opulent metallic accents throughout the architectural frame.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- serpentine marble, gilt bronze, enamel
- Decorations
- figural mounts, foliate borders, garlands, scrollwork, flame-form finials
Technical characteristics
- Dial
- white enamel
- Numerals
- Roman numerals for hours, Arabic for minutes
- Signature
- CH. PARIS
Design
- Motifs
- classical columns, cherub, lions
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- CH. PARIS
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.