Napoleon III Period Mantelpiece Set

An elegant French Louis XVI style mantel clock in white marble and gilt bronze, comprising a clock and a pair of matching candelabra. The clock features a remarkable spherical, globe-shaped dial adorned with applied numerals and surmounted by a gilt bronze putto. The set rests on a white marble columned base decorated with garlands and mounts of finely chased and gilt bronze. A distinctive decorative feature is the clock's finely chased serpent-shaped hand, an original and decorative detail characteristic of certain 19th-century novelty clocks. The original mechanical movement is signed Vincenti & Cie, stamped "Médaille d'Argent," a renowned Parisian manufacturer of the second half of the 19th century. It strikes the hours and half-hours. The mechanism is complete with key and pendulum. The set is in working order. The two matching two-light candelabra feature the same white marble and gilt bronze decoration. A very beautiful decorative set representative of high-quality French fireplace fittings from the Napoleon III period.