A Large French Neo-gothic Clock In Gilded Bronze, Featuring Rampant Lions And A Heraldic Shield

Neo-Gothic mantel clock (made in France or Belgium, likely from the third quarter of the 19th century, around 1860–1890) in gilded bronze (ormolu), featuring bronze figures with a dark patina. The case is adorned with a rich decoration of openwork Gothic tracery, small turrets, and pinnacles—characteristic of the Neo-Gothic/Troubadour style highly prized by French clockmakers of that era.

On either side of the dial stand two rearing lions in patinated bronze (or lion-like mythical creatures), with lush manes, each holding a gilded shield—a heraldic motif, as if they were guarding the clock’s “coat of arms.” At the top sits a gilded bronze crown, surmounting a shield-shaped cartouche, which gives the clock a noble and heraldic appearance. The sides are adorned with graceful pinnacles shaped like urns or candelabra.

The dial itself is particularly remarkable: crafted from chiseled and gilded bronze, it features twelve separate white enamel cartouches in the shape of four-leaf clovers (quatrefoils), each adorned with blue Roman numerals. This type of separate enamel cartouches (rather than a continuous enameled or paper dial) is characteristic of the highest-quality pendulum clocks of this period. The hands are made of blued steel and feature a Gothic/ornate design.

At the base, the clock rests on a rectangular openwork plinth, decorated with foliage and a central mascaron, all set on four elegantly carved feet.

Size Height 68cm Wide 44cm.