Japy Freres Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Boudoir Clock

~ French - Circa 1880 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A most exquisite original antique French clock by the famous maker Japy Freres. It is finely modelled in ormolu (finely gilded bronze), beautifully finished and in stunning original condition. It is mounted with Sevres style porcelain, each piece is signed faintly on the reverse by the artist. It is decorated with a pompadour rose pink background, the panel below the dial is delicately painted with a scene of a young couple in a country scene with panels of floral swags to each side. The dial itself is decorated with a cherub with a pair of laurel wreaths, an allegory for success. It is lettered in white cartouches against the pink background with turquoise coloured enamel 'jewel' half-hour markers. This is a stunning clock, fine ormolu rather then the usual gilt spelter and very original, unusually the case is stamped with the movement's serial number. 

The dial is mounted in a gilded drum with a pink porcelain urn above. This is decorated with floral swags and ormolu handles. Laurel swags hang below the dial. The original gesso base is covered with pink velvet, it bears a number that is one less then that of the clock, however it is a perfect fit and therefore we think this is an original numbering error. The rear door is glazed with convex frosted glass. (Please note that this style of clock does not have a glazed bezel over the dial).

The French movement is by Japy Freres and has the makers mark on the backplate. It is of high quality and is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is original. The movement is fitted with the superior rack striking system. 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 on the high spots. The dial is also in good condition, one turquoise 'jewel' is missing from near the 2 O'clock and there's a slight mark and there is some chipping around the winding holes. The over-glaze gilt decoration is very good. The porcelain is also very good, as with the dial most of the over-glaze gilt decoration is present and in good condition. There are some slight chips to the underside rim of the urn above the movement, these are beneath the ormolu rim of the urn and are therefore only visible on close inspection. The base is in good condition, we have replaced the velvet. This is a stunning clock in lovely original condition, ready to add to your collection.  

      
Japy Freres 'Grande Medaille D'Honneur' mark on the movement backplate

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