Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Drum Head Clock by Jean-Baptiste Delettrez ~ French - Circa 1870 ~ ~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~ A beautiful and unusual original antique French clock of ormolu (finely gilded bronze) and exquisite Sèvres style porcelain. Porcelain has a blue ground and is delicately painted with cherubs to the sides and musical instruments to the front.

The movement is mounted in a porcelain drum with a porcelain dial, finely painted with floral swags, gilded work and applied porcelain jewels. It stands on an elaborate and heavily modelled base with laurel leaves and large scrolls. To the sides are lions mask handles and to the top an elaborate urn.

The French movement is of high quality and is by Japy Freres, supplying the partially completed movement for finishing by Jean-Baptiste Delettrez. The JBD mark is also on the bezel. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. 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 clean and bright, some wear and discolouration particularly to the back door and rear panel. There is a casting fault to the case on the right hand side. Porcelain is also in good condition, some wear to the over glaze gilt decoration and some loss of porcelain jewels and the occasional mark. There is a light hairline to the porcelain drum but it is mounted on a brass liner and so is strong. We have replaced the fabric inside the rear door.  

  
Jean-Baptiste Delettrez and Japy Freres clockmaker's marks on the movement backplate.

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).