Richond Frères and Honoré Pons French bronze and marble figural mantel clock, c. 1830
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1830
This 19th-century French figural mantel clock dates to approximately 1830. Retailed by Richond Frères of Paris and featuring a movement by the renowned clockmaker Honoré Pons, the piece exemplifies the ornate Neoclassical or Empire style.
The clock is constructed with a dark-patinated bronze figural group depicting a reclining bearded male and a female companion, both rendered with classical attributes. This sculpture rests upon a white marble plinth that is extensively decorated with finely chased gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts and ornaments. The circular white enamel dial displays blue Roman numerals with gilt highlights and bears the signature of Richond Frères along with their address at 21 Boulevard Montmartre, Paris.
The lower section of the case is flanked by a pair of gilt bronze putti and stands on decorative feet. The brass movement is numbered 520 and carries the mark of Honoré Pons, specifically referencing his 1827 Médaille d'Or award. This elaborate timepiece combines sculptural art with high-quality horological craftsmanship typical of the Parisian workshops of the era.
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
- Dial
- White enamel
- Materials
- Patinated bronze, gilt bronze (ormolu), white marble, brass
Technical characteristics
- Movement
- Brass
- Movement number
- 520
Design
- Figures
- Reclining bearded male and female companion, gilt bronze putti
- Inscriptions
- Richond Frères, Bould Montmartre 21 A Paris, Pons Médaille d'Or 1827
- Dial numerals
- Blue Roman numerals with gilt highlights
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
- Richond Frères (retailer), Honoré Pons (movement)
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.