c.1860 Ad Mougin Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Clock Set, 3 PCS

Details

Description

c. 1860 French Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock Garniture – 3 Pieces
Offered here is an exceptional mid-19th-century French … Read more c. 1860 French Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock Garniture – 3 Pieces
Offered here is an exceptional mid-19th-century French Louis XVI–style mantel clock garniture, dating to circa 1860, and produced with a movement by the celebrated French clockmaker AD Mougin.
This is a complete and original three-piece set, consisting of one mantel clock and two matching candelabras, all conceived, designed, and executed as a unified garniture—not assembled later.

Date / Period
Circa: 1860
Period: 19th Century, Second Empire

Maker / Attribution
Movement stamped: “AD Mougin – Deux Médailles”, denoting an award-winning French maker whose movements were internationally recognized
Dial signed: “Metais Bayeux”, indicating the original retailer or atelier
Dual signatures significantly enhance historical and collector value

Style
Louis XVI / Neoclassical
Symmetrical, architectural design with classical ornamentation inspired by 18th-century French royal taste
✨ Color
Rich gilded gold with warm tonal depth

Materials
Solid bronze
Original fire-gilt ormolu finish
Never re-gilded or refinished, retaining its authentic 19th-century surface and natural patina prized by collectors

Originality & Completeness
This garniture retains all original components, including:
Original Mougin movement
Original pendulum
Original winding key
Original bell
Original ormolu finish
Original matching candelabras
No later replacements, alterations, or modernizations.

⚙ Mechanical Details
Professionally inspected and serviced
Fully operational
Strikes half-hour and full-hour
Runs smoothly with its original pendulum and key
Both a functional timepiece and a refined decorative centerpiece.

Decorative & Sculptural Features
Finely cast garland and ribbon swags
Classical Louis XVI motifs
Elegant urn/goblet finial crowning the clock
Deeply detailed bronze casting with crisp definition

Candelabras (pair):
Four ornate candle arms each
Arms terminate in finely modeled ram’s heads, a classic neoclassical symbol
Balanced architectural silhouette typical of high-quality Louis XVI garnitures

Removable Torch Feature (Original & Period-Correct)
Each candelabra is topped with a removable decorative torch finial.
When removed, the torch reveals a fifth candle socket, allowing:
4 candles with torch finial in place, or
5 candles total when the torch is removed
This is an original 19th-century design feature, not a later adaptation.

Dial & Condition
Original enamel dial
Roman and Arabic numerals
Fine black and gilt detailing
Minor, age-appropriate wear between 12 and 1, barely visible and entirely consistent with age
No cracks, repairs, or restorations
Cleaned only—never refinished
Overall presentation is rich, authentic, and museum-appropriate.

Dimensions
Mantel Clock
Height: 50 cm (≈ 20 in)
Width: 35 cm (≈ 14 in)
Depth: 17 cm (≈ 7 in)

Each Candelabra
Height: 59 cm (≈ 23 in)
Diameter: 25 cm (≈ 10 in)

⚖ Weight & Presence
Cast in heavy solid bronze, this garniture has substantial physical and visual weight, lending a commanding architectural presence ideal for:
Mantels
Consoles
Entry halls
Chateau-style interiors
Luxury residential or commercial displays

Historical Significance
Mid-19th-century Louis XVI ormolu garnitures represent the pinnacle of French decorative arts revival.
Examples that retain:
Original finish
Original matching candelabras
Signed movement and dial
are increasingly scarce and highly sought after by collectors, designers, and institutions.

Shipping
Professionally packed in two packages.
Fully insured with tracking
Ships worldwide where permitted
The clock will be packed separately due to weight and value for maximum protection

⭐ Summary
A rare and museum-quality circa 1860 AD Mougin French Louis XVI gilt bronze clock garniture, offered as a complete three-piece set, fully original, mechanically working, and richly sculptural. Featuring removable torch finials that allow each candelabra to hold five candles, this set exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship, historical integrity, and timeless neoclassical elegance. See less