Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture

A marble and gilt bronze clock garniture, later 19th century,…
click the photo to enlarge
A marble and gilt bronze clock garniture, later 19th century, with key and pendulum, a glazed portico style clock in veined apricot marble with an enclosed dial and mercury regulator pendulum and surmounted by a winged sphinx; the marble side vases with cast scrolling handles of conforming design, height 60 cm, width 33 cm, depth 14 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
  • Pendulum - The pendulum was discovered around 1602 by Galileo Galilei, and was adopted for time keeping by the Dutch mathematician and natural philosopher, Christiaan Huygens, who excelled in astronomy, physics, and horology.

    The pendulum comprises a metal rod usually of brass or steel with a metal disk, known as a bob, at the end. The movement of the pendulum is driven by weights or a spring, and as a pendulum swings in a regular arc, it was found accuracy could be controlled to within a few seconds a week.

    Timekeeping can be adjusted by changing the height of the bob on the rod, making the pendulum either swing slower or faster.

    The disadvantage of the pendulum was that changes in temperature also changed the length of the pendulum, interfering with the accuracy of the clock, and so in the 18th century two types of mercurial pendulums were invented which countered the movement in the steel rod.

    The pendulum was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the invention of the quartz clock, regulated by a quartz crystal, in 1927.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

Antique French mantle clock and garnitures, has key and pendulum, clock approx 40 cm high, 23 cm wide, 11 cm deep (3)

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A Louis XVI style gilt spelter and porcelain clock garniture, later 19th century, with the Medaille bronze stamp of S Marti et Cie to mechanism, with Sevres porcelain decoration, the floral bleu celeste dial with Roman numerals within a cast arched mount w

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A pair of Sevres pattern porcelain and gilt metal urn shaped decorations 33 cm high

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A French Louis XV bronze gilt clock garniture, late 19th century; with movement by S Marti et Cie, of arched portico form with a shaped rococo base below four scrolled and foliate columns and a central putto 'Holding' the arched dial casing aloft, the dial

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.