Fine Marble and Bronze Figural Clock Candelabras by Lemerle Charpentier

Details

Description

This exquisite three-piece French bronze and marble clock garniture by Lemerle-Charpentierwith a movement by Samuel Marti and is a superb … Read more This exquisite three-piece French bronze and marble clock garniture by Lemerle-Charpentierwith a movement by Samuel Marti and is a superb example of late 19th-century Parisian decorative arts, combining fine sculpture, architectural marble, and precision horology into a unified and highly ornamental ensemble. Comprising a central mantel clock flanked by a matching pair of figural candelabra, the set was designed as a complete decorative statement for a grand salon, mantelpiece, or formal interior.

The central clock is mounted in luminous white marble, richly accented with finely chased gilt bronze mounts. Atop the case stands a beautifully modeled putto figure in dark patinated bronze, animated and expressive, holding a torch aloft—an allegorical symbol of enlightenment, time, and knowledge. The contrast between the dark bronze figure, warm gilded details, and cool marble ground creates depth and visual drama. The circular enamel dial with Roman numerals is elegantly framed, underscoring the refined balance between function and ornament.

Flanking the clock are a matching pair of bronze figural candelabra, each centered by a sculptural putto standing on a marble base. The figures support scrolling, gilt bronze candle arms terminating in classical bobeches, creating graceful upward movement and symmetry. The sculptural modeling of the figures—soft anatomy, expressive faces, and dynamic poses—demonstrates the high artistic standards expected of Parisian luxury objects during this period.

Lemerle-Charpentier: Parisian Masters of Decorative Clocks

The set bears the name of Lemerle-Charpentier, a respected Parisian firm active in the second half of the 19th century. Lemerle-Charpentier was renowned not only as a clockmaker, but as a collaborator with elite bronze casters, sculptors, and marble workshops, producing clocks and garnitures that rivaled the finest decorative arts of the era. Their pieces were often signed on the dial or movement, signaling quality, reliability, and fashionable taste.

The firm specialized in luxurious mantel clocks, figural garnitures, and exhibition-quality pieces, many of which were exported internationally to decorate aristocratic homes and refined interiors. Lemerle-Charpentier clocks frequently feature award-winning movements paired with elaborate bronze sculpture, making them especially desirable to collectors today.

Decorative and Collectible Significance

Three-piece clock sets of this caliber were designed to convey status, refinement, and artistic literacy. Today, original Lemerle-Charpentier garnitures are prized for their sculptural quality, historical integrity, and decorative impact.

Elegant, cohesive, and richly detailed, this Lemerle-Charpentier bronze and marble clock set is a timeless centerpiece—equally compelling as a functional timepiece and as a work of French sculptural art.Samuel Marti et Cie was one of the most important and respected French clock movement manufacturers of the 19th century, and his name is a major mark of quality in antique French clocks.

Who Was Samuel Marti?

Samuel Marti founded Samuel Marti et Cie in Paris in 1833. Unlike retailers or decorative bronze firms, Marti specialized specifically in high-precision clock movements—the mechanical heart of the clock. His company supplied movements to many of the finest Parisian bronze casters, decorators, and retailers, including firms producing luxury mantel clocks, cartel clocks, and clock garnitures.

Rather than selling directly to the public, Marti functioned as a behind-the-scenes master manufacturer, making movements that were then housed in elaborate bronze, marble, or porcelain cases by other workshops. This is why Marti’s name is often found stamped on the movement backplate, pendulum, or inside the case rather than on the dial.

Reputation & Awards

Samuel Marti’s movements were renowned for:

Mechanical reliability

Precision timekeeping

Durable construction

Elegant finishing

His firm won multiple medals at international exhibitions, including:

Paris Expositions Universelles

Other major European industrial fairs

These awards made Marti movements highly desirable, and many top-tier decorators specifically requested Marti mechanisms for their clocks.

Why Samuel Marti Matters to Collectors

A clock fitted with a Samuel Marti movement is widely regarded as:

Higher quality than unsigned or lesser-known movements

More authentically French

More valuable and collectible

Marti movements often include distinctive features such as:

Medallion stamps with award listings

Count-wheel or rack-strike mechanisms

Well-engineered suspension systems

Because movements are the most technically demanding part of a clock, Marti’s reputation elevates the entire object—even when the case is by another maker.

Legacy

Samuel Marti et Cie remained active throughout the mid-to-late 19th century, supplying movements during the golden age of French decorative clocks. Today, his name is synonymous with serious French horology, and collectors actively seek clocks bearing his stamp.

In short, Samuel Marti was not just a clockmaker—he was the mechanical backbone of France’s finest decorative clocks, and his movements remain a benchmark of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship.


Dimensions:
clock 16 inches high x 11.25 inches wide x 5.75 inches deep
candelabras: 13.5 inches high x 6.5 inches wide x 5.25 inches deep See less