French Ormolu Mantel Clock with Sevres Porcelain Panels

A French 19th century ormolu and bronze mantel clock with…
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A French 19th century ormolu and bronze mantel clock with Sevres porcelain panels, the case surmounted by a bronze statuette of a sculptress. The white enamel dial and the movement signed 'Hatton'. The eight-day strike wheel mechanism marked Japy Freres, Medaille d'Or 1855', width 42 cm, height 37 cm. Provenance: The estate collection of Prof. G. Dawson.

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  • Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
  • 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.
  • Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.

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