A Louis XV Style Ormolu Mantel Garniture

19th century

A Louis XV style ormolu mantel garniture (French, 19th century). The set is composed of a clock (.1), with the movement made by Raingo Frères of Paris (French, founded in 1823), and two candelabra (.2a-d-.3a-d).

.1 – The mantel clock has a white enamel dial painted in black with the minutes and roman numerals for the hours, above the two brass hands in black script is “Raingo Fres” and below is “A PARIS.” The dial is protected by a convex glass cover and housed in a cartouche-shaped ormolu case chiseled with flowers and foliage. The case stands on four pierced foliate legs and is surmounted by a seated figure of a naked cupid/putto. The back of the case has a hinged door which opens to reveal the inner clockworks, which are engraved “RAINGO FRES / PARIS / 3337.”

.2a-d-.3a-d – The pair of candelabra each have three foliate candle branches ending in foliate drip pans and gourd-shaped candle nozzles. The branches emanate from bases with figures of fauns seated on pillows playing musical instruments, the figure on .1 plays the triangle while the figure on .2 plays the flute. The bases are raised on four pierced foliate scroll feet.

French

ormolu

enamel

glass

.1 (clock) = 17" x 9.25" x 5.5"

.2-.3 (candelabra) = 11.75" x 10.25" x 7.5"

Gift of Countess Alice S. Hadik, 1975.

PSNC.2915.1 - .3a-d