A FRENCH PORCELAIN INSET ORMOLU MANTEL CLOCK

A FRENCH PORCELAIN INSET ORMOLU MANTEL CLOCK The movement by Japy Freres, Paris, circa 1870The eight-day two train bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by anchor escapement with disc bob pendulum, the backplate stamped with JAPY FRERES ET CIE, G'DE MED. D HONNEUR roundel beneath stamped initials P. L'TRE, the upper margin with serial number 143 and the lower margin further numbered 3 3, the rectangular porcelain dial panel with centre polychrome painted with a putto over trophy emblematic of the arts within Roman numeral cartouche chapter ring incorporating turquoise 'jewels' to the gilt decorated cobalt-blue ground margins within further multi-coloured 'jewel' and gilt scroll decorated infill to the rest of the panel, the rectangular case with ormolu mounted cobalt-blue porcelain urn surmount decorated with polychrome painted figural panels within further gilt decorated borders flanked by handles cast a storks, over fluted frieze and further bird-and-flower decorated side panels flanked by projecting angles incorporating scroll-cast terms with lions paw feet, the rectangular skirt base applied with musical and martial trophies to sides and inset with a frieze painted with putti at play to apron, on fluted squab feet, with a pair of ormolu mounted porcelain urn side pieces, each of ovoid form with gilt scroll decorated domed cover over slender neck and body with female mask handles and polychrome painted with figural panel opposing a landscape to rear within elaborate gilt borders, on conforming foot with gilt metal plinth incorporating concave angles, each with underglaze blue entwined 'L' marks to inside of the lid and signed De Michet to the figural panel, (3).The clock 48cm (19ins) high, 32cm (12.5cm) wide, 20.5cm (8ins) deep; the sidepieces, 35cm (13.75ins) high.Condition Report: Movement is fully wound but is very in very dirty/neglected condition hence is not in working order. Both trains are fully wound and the escapement has motive power. The strike train appears intact but inoperative most likely due to neglect and the bell is also missing. The dial panel is in fine condition with faults limited to a few of the tiny 'jewels' missing and negligible gilt rubbing. Both side panels appear free from damage; the panels in the base have a three of the beads missing from the borders with a couple being re-applied in incorrect places (white at the angles replacing the single ruby-red ones that should be there) otherwise panels are in good condition with minimal rubbing. The lid to the urn surmount has at some-point been broken into two and glued back together; the body of the urn is missing a small handful of beads/jewels from the borders of the painted vignettes otherwise appears to be in fine condition with minimal gilt wear. The case retains original gilding to the applied cast elements with only minor rubbing/wear however the main body of the case (frame) has been cleaned back at some point and lacquered hence does not retain gilding to these srfaces (case must have been dismantled to do this). Because of this a series of small copper plugs used to fill porosity in the casting when it was made is now visible.Except for one lid being broken into three-pieces and re-glued both urn side pieces are in good condition with other faults limited to a few very small edge chips to the other lid and a couple of small chips where the base of each is joined with the underside of the body of the urn these chips are covered by gilt painting. The gilding to the porcelain of each urn has minimal wear however the metal mounts would appear to have been cleaned of most of their original gilding.Clock has a pendulum but no winding key or bell.Please ask the department for additional images Condition Report Disclaimer