Late 19th-Century French Neo-Grec Black Slate Mantel Clock by Japy Frères

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Description

This late 19th-century French mantle clock is a refined example of Neo-Grec design paired with exceptional European horological craftsmanship. The … Read more This late 19th-century French mantle clock is a refined example of Neo-Grec design paired with exceptional European horological craftsmanship. The architectural case is executed in polished black stone—likely dense slate or Belgian black marble—materials favored during the Victorian and Napoleon III eras for their weight, durability, and ability to support fine decorative work. The surface is richly embellished with incised foliate scrollwork, meticulously etched into the stone and filled with gilt, creating a striking contrast against the deep black ground.

The clock’s most distinctive feature is its Delft-style hand-painted porcelain dial, rendered in a classic blue-and-white palette. Delicate birds perched among fruiting branches are framed within numbered cartouches, introducing a soft, organic counterpoint to the formal, architectural severity of the black stone case. This interplay between rigid French monumentality and Dutch-inspired decorative charm was a popular aesthetic choice of the period. Elegant gilt Fleur-de-lis hands further underscore the French origin.

Designed in the Neo-Grec style fashionable between 1860 and 1890, the case evokes a classical temple form with a substantial plinth base, stepped entablature top, and triple-fluted pilasters accented with gilt-filled vertical lines. The dial is housed within a beaded gilt-bronze bezel and protected by heavy beveled glass, adding both visual richness and functional solidity.

The clock is fitted with an 8-day movement that strikes on both the hour and half-hour, identifiable by the twin winding arbors on the dial. The movement was produced by Japy Frères & Cie, one of the most important French clockmaking firms of the 19th century, renowned for its precision, reliability, and technical innovation. The brass backplate bears the “Grande Médaille d’Honneur” stamp, signifying the company’s award at a major international exposition. The brass pendulum is stamped with the number 4151, matching the movement—a strong indicator that the clock retains its original, factory-matched components.

Combining a high-quality Japy Frères movement with an architecturally commanding black slate case, this mantle clock represents the pinnacle of late 19th-century French production, valued equally for its mechanical excellence and its sculptural, decorative presence.

Certificate of Authenticity
Late 19th-Century French Neo-Grec Mantle Clock
I. Origin and Craftsmanship

Country of Origin: France.

Period: Late 19th Century (Circa 1860–1890).

Material: Polished black Belgian marble or slate casing.

Style: Neo-Grec (Greek Revival), characterized by architectural symmetry, fluted pilasters, and incised gilt foliate scrollwork.

II. Horological Movement

Manufacturer: Japy Frères & Cie.

Award Distinction: The movement is stamped with the Grande Médaille d'Honneur, a mark of excellence awarded at prestigious international expositions.

Mechanism: 8-day brass movement with strike on the hour and half-hour.

Provenance Match: The pendulum bears the serial number 4151, matching the movement’s internal calibration and confirming the set is original and matched.

III. Decorative Features

Dial: Hand-painted "Delft-style" porcelain dial in a classic blue and white palette.

Motif: Traditional Dutch-inspired garden scene featuring birds, fruit-bearing branches, and numbered cartouches.

Hands: Gilt Fleur-de-lis hands protected by a beaded brass bezel and beveled glass. See less