Fine Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Clock by Jean-Baptiste Delettrez ~ French - Circa 1850 ~ ~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~ A fine ormolu (mercury fire gilded bronze) clock mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with Rose Pompadour pink ground. The panel below the dial is painted with a portrait of Marie Antoinette and the dial is painted very finely with floral swags and gilt decoration with jewel half-hour markers.

The gilding is in lovely original condition with a colour and finish that can only be achieved with mercury gilding. It is well finished with polished highlights. The bronze work is heavy but beautifully light in design with a fine crispness. It is of classical design with a crossed torché and quiver of arrows to the top with a laurel wreath and flowing acanthus swags. The clocks sits upon its original gesso base. The serial number of the clock is on the porcelain, bezel, rear bezel, case and the base.

The French movement is superb quality and is by the renown maker Jean-Baptiste Delettrez. His mark is on the movement backplate and on the bezel.  It is a large plate version of the Pendule d'Paris movement with Brocot Pin-pallet escapement and rack strike. It is in excellent clean and running condition. Pendulum is a replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video clip below to hear the bell and watch the clock running!

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with just some minor wear to a few high spots where the clock has been handled. The dial and porcelain is also in excellent condition, some of the tiny jewel half hour markers are missing. The base is in good condition with original silk to the top and some minor and old wood worm damage. The delicate gesso however is in excellent condition. We have replaced the fabric in the rear door.

Jean-Baptiste Delettrez - Clockmaker's mark on the movement backplate and bezel

Complete with pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.

Click the movie player below to see the this actual clock run -
(large file, may take a moment to start).