#61 • Opulent 19th Century Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock

Part of 05/07 The Estate of: Thomas D. King Jr. Auction Kilauea (Kauai) (timed auction by Malama Auctions & Realty)

High bid $130.00

Status: Sold

Up for auction is an extraordinary piece of 19th-century craftsmanship: an ornate ormolu (gilt bronze) mantel clock, enriched with exquisitely hand-painted porcelain inserts. This sumptuous timepiece is a spectacle of the opulence characteristic of the Second Empire period in France, an era renowned for its lavish and decorative arts. The clock's design features a rich assemblage of classical and mythological motifs, with finely detailed figures and flourishes that epitomize the grandeur of the period. Atop the clock sits a regal finial, below which the time is kept on a porcelain face surrounded by a halo of Roman numeral cartouches. Each cartouche is separated by intricate gilt bronze detailing, with hand-painted individual scenes and portraits that harken back to Renaissance artistry. The body of the clock is flanked by full-length figures and draped with chains, adding a three-dimensional depth to the piece. The movement, visible from the top under a glass dome, is a work of art in itself, revealing the complex interplay of gears and springs that has kept time for centuries. This clock is not merely a timekeeping device but a statement of luxury and historical elegance. It comes complete with its pendulum and winding key, the latter crucial for the clock's manual operation. Though unmarked, the style and quality are suggestive of the renowned French clockmakers of the 19th century.