Meissen Porcelain Floral Mantel Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1860
This mantel clock features a porcelain case attributed to Meissen, dated to approximately 1860. The clock is constructed with a hand-painted and sculpted porcelain body, incorporating applied floral and leaf decorations and a central painted scene depicting lovers.
The timekeeping mechanism is an eight-day French movement capable of bell striking. The rear of the movement is enclosed by a glass door. The clock has undergone a recent service and is reported to be in functional condition. The external appearance exhibits minor signs of age consistent with its period.
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.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1860
- Type
- Mantel clock
- Maker
- Meissen
- Case Material
- Porcelain
- Power Reserve
- 8 day
- Service Status
- Recently serviced
- Movement Origin
- French
- Striking Mechanism
- Bell striking
- Maker / attribution
- Meissen
Design
- Visible features
- • Applied sculpted porcelain flowers and leaves • Hand-painted scene depicting a pair of lovers on the lower case • Enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers and Arabic numeral minute track • Gold-toned bezel surrounding the dial
- Movement and Mechanism
- The timekeeping is provided by an eight-day French mechanical movement. This movement is designed for bell striking, providing an audible time-reporting function. The internal mechanics are protected by a glass door located at the rear of the clock case. Technical maintenance has been performed on the clock, with the source indicating that it has been recently serviced. It is currently reported to be in good operating condition relative to its age, with only minor signs of use or passage of time visible on the exterior.
- Case Construction and Aesthetics
- The clock case is fashioned from porcelain, finished with hand-painted details and applied sculptural elements. The design incorporates three-dimensional floral and foliate motifs integrated into the structure. A painted vignette featuring a scene of lovers is situated on the front of the pedestal. The overall aesthetic is consistent with mid-nineteenth-century decorative arts. The porcelain body is characterized by a high level of ornamental detail, with individual flower petals and leaves modeled by hand. The surface is decorated with a combination of delicate brushwork for the figurative scenes and relief elements that create texture across the case profile.
- Historical Context and Attribution
- The object is attributed to the Meissen factory based on the source documentation. The integration of high-quality porcelain art with functional horological components was a common configuration for decorative clocks in this era. The production of such items relied on specialized craft skills, including both porcelain sculpture and professional clockmaking.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact provenance of the movement apart from its French origin is not specified.
- Research required: The attribution to Meissen is provided by the source without accompanying maker's mark confirmation.