Late 19th Century Ornate Figural Bronze Clock by Delafontaine of Paris

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Description

There are clocks… and then there are French clocks that seem to have been conceived not by mortal craftsmen, but … Read more There are clocks… and then there are French clocks that seem to have been conceived not by mortal craftsmen, but by some over-caffeinated cherub in the gilded salons of the Second Empire. This 19th century French bronze mantel clock by Delafontaine is decidedly the latter.
At first glance, it glows. Not merely shines—glows. The case, cast in sumptuous gilt bronze (ormolu), rises like a miniature triumphal monument. A garlanded plinth supports a richly framed enamel dial with cobalt Roman numerals, the kind of blue so precise and aristocratic it feels as though it’s whispering in French. Above the dial, a classical mask presides with serene authority, crowned by a lavish urn bursting with flowers—because in 19th century Paris, even time deserved a floral arrangement.
And then, as if the whole affair weren’t theatrical enough, flanking the clock are two exquisitely modeled patinated bronze figures—classical maidens caught in contemplative repose. Their dark, chocolate patina contrasts dramatically against the burnished gold of the case, creating that irresistible French tension between restraint and opulence. Drapery folds cascade with the sort of detail that makes you lean in and wonder how bronze could possibly behave like silk.
This is not merely decorative art. It is the handiwork of Delafontaine, one of the great Parisian bronze foundries of the 19th century. Founded in the early 1800s and flourishing during the reign of Napoleon III, Maison Delafontaine was renowned for producing the finest gilt bronze objects—clock cases, candelabra, garnitures—often collaborating with master clockmakers and supplying elite retailers throughout Paris. Their work exemplified the precision casting, meticulous chasing, and luxurious mercury gilding that defined the French decorative arts during the Louis XVI Revival and Second Empire periods. Pieces bearing the Delafontaine name were intended for grand hôtels particuliers and aristocratic interiors—rooms with tall mirrors, parquet floors, and enough velvet to make a bishop blush.
Mechanically, the clock houses a traditional French movement—solid, deliberate, dependable—the kind that ticks with a confident cadence rather than a frantic modern whirr. It was built in an era when timekeeping was not just practical but ceremonial.
For collectors of 19th century French bronze clocks, Louis XVI style ormolu mantel clocks, or fine decorative arts by premier Parisian foundries, this Delafontaine masterpiece offers scale, presence, and undeniable pedigree. It commands a mantel, a console, or a marble-topped commode with the authority of history itself.
In short, this is the sort of clock that doesn’t merely tell time.
It tells a story.

Measures 28 tall x 26 wide x 12.75 deep. See less