Marie Antoinette Cobalt Blue Porcelain Mantel Clock, 1970s

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An elegant and highly decorative Marie Antoinette-style lyre mantel clock, inspired by an important French model held in the collection … Read more An elegant and highly decorative Marie Antoinette-style lyre mantel clock, inspired by an important French model held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The clock is conceived in the graceful lyre form associated with the refined neoclassical taste of the Louis XVI period. Its rich cobalt-blue Sèvres-style body is extensively mounted with finely detailed gilt-bronze ornament, creating a striking combination of colour and gilded decoration. Surmounting the clock is a finely modelled classical mask of Apollo framed by radiating sunburst rays, an emblem traditionally associated with light, harmony and the arts. The lyre-form case is further enriched with laurel garlands, scrolling foliage, musical motifs and finely cast classical detailing, all arranged with impressive symmetry. At the centre is a circular enamel-style dial with Roman numerals and a delicately painted floral chapter ring, surrounded by an ornate beaded gilt bezel. Elegant hands and twin winding apertures complete the traditional appearance of the mechanical movement. The cobalt-blue panels are embellished with hand-painted decoration and **22-carat gold accents**, while more than sixty individually set **Austrian crystals** add subtle brilliance to the composition. The clock rests upon a shaped cobalt-blue base with complementary gilt-bronze mounts, completing its balanced and imposing silhouette. Lyre clocks became one of the most recognisable luxury clock forms associated with the decorative arts of late 18th-century France and the courtly aesthetic of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The design was subsequently revived in the late 19th and 20th centuries, with elaborate interpretations inspired by important museum examples. Presented in **good condition**, with minor wear consistent with age and use. The gilding remains bright and attractive, while the blue panels retain their rich colour. The mechanical movement is present and the clock is accompanied by its key. Servicing may be advisable to ensure optimal long-term performance. A highly decorative statement timepiece combining classical French elegance, rich cobalt colouring and elaborate gilt ornament, ideally suited to a mantel, console or sophisticated traditional interior. See less