Louis XV-style Bronze Fireplace Trim, 19th Century

Louis XV-style gilded bronze mantelpiece set

Period: Late 19th century, circa 1870–1880.

A rare and elegant fireplace set consisting of a clock and a pair of matching candelabra, crafted from finely chiseled and gilded bronze in the Louis XV Rocaille style, dating from the 19th century. 
The set exemplifies the decorative refinement sought after during the Second Empire and draws direct inspiration from 18th-century Rococo models, characterized by their dynamic forms, asymmetrical volutes, and abundant floral ornamentation.

The clock features a particularly airy and openwork design.
Its rich decoration consists of foliage scrolls, acanthus leaves, blooming flowers, stylized shells, and rocaille scrolls, all delicately chiseled from solid bronze.
The circular dial is adorned with white enamel cartouches featuring blue Roman numerals, framed by a finely decorated bezel. The openwork hands in blackened metal emphasize the dial’s elegance.

The body of the clock rests on an ornate base with four curved legs adorned with large volutes and a central shell motif.
The upper section unfolds into a spectacular bouquet of sculpted foliage and flowers, accentuating the verticality and lightness of the composition.
The back opens to reveal the key-wound mechanical movement, complete with its balance wheel and striking bell.

The two matching candelabras faithfully echo the clock’s decorative style.
Each consists of an openwork shaft formed of intertwined plant scrolls, supporting five lights shaped like flower corollas.
The ensemble exudes great decorative elegance and remarkable stylistic consistency.

The Louis XV style is distinguished by its supple curves, its inspiration drawn from nature, and its Rocaille aesthetic, richly adorned with foliage, shells, and floral motifs—features particularly evident in this set.

• Period: Late 19th century, Napoleon III period
• Style: Louis XV Rocaille
• Material: Finely chiseled and gilded bronze
• Composition: Clock and a pair of five-light candelabras
• Dial: White enamel with blue Roman numerals
• Movement: Mechanical, key-wound
• Decoration: Foliage, flowers, shells, Rocaille volutes, and openwork scrollwork
• Condition: Very fine presentation condition; wear and slight discoloration consistent with its age. The movement should be serviced or inspected depending on intended use.

This sumptuous set makes a remarkable decorative piece for a mantelpiece, a console table, or a classic interior.
With its high-quality chiseling, rich decoration, and brilliant gilding, it perfectly exemplifies the 19th-century taste for creations inspired by the reign of Louis XV and the great Parisian bronze artisans.

A highly striking decorative piece, ideal for a collector of French decorative bronzes.

The clock measures 56 cm in height
The candlesticks measure 61.5 cm