Mantle Clocks: Ring in the New Year, Part One

Courtesy of Bunny Williams' Point of View

Ringing in a new year causes one to consider the passage of time, of course. Thus, it seems only fitting that my first posting in 2012 is about clocks--mantle clocks to be precise. Mantle clocks are trusty, medium-sized timepieces, ranging from 8-18" in height, that, in our modern era, also serve as very elegant and adaptable accoutrements. Frequently found at auction and surprisingly reasonable in price, mantle clocks make wonderful wedding, anniversary or housewarming gifts for a cherished (and lucky!) friend or family member. They are also a great layering piece for one's own home. This week, we will explore several styles frequently found at auction in two separate postings. Today, we have the fancier examples, with the humbler, primarily American, mantle clocks coming later in the week. Enjoy.

Gilt Mantle Clocks

Bunny Williams's ormolu mantle clock.

Let's begin with gilt clocks, since they reflect the origin of the mantle clock, which began in 18th century France during the reign of Louis XV. We'll start with one of my favorites: Bunny Williams's ormolu clock depicting a gardener (seen here and at the top of this blog). I just love the gilt hydrangea that comes out of the "wheelbarrow." In Point of View, the designer writes that she found this timepiece in California (which wouldn't be my first guess), and "could not live without [it]." I love it too, and have never seen anything like it in all my years scouring auction houses.

19th c French ormulu mantle clock. At Roland, New York on January 7th, estimate $400-500.

French Empire mantle clock, at Freeman's in Philadelphia on January 25th, estimate $1,500-2,000.

Now, mantle clocks need not be limited to the mantle. Interior Designer Suzanne Rheinstein uses a gilt clock to great effect on a desk in this gorgeous green bedroom.

A bronze dore clock, above, enhances this green guest room, courtesy of At Home: A Style for Today with Things from the Past.
 

19th c. Empire style clock. At Freeman's on January 25th, estimate $800-1,200.

19th c French empire gilt-bronze clock. At Leslie Hindman on January 25th, estimate $3,000-5,000.

  By 1850, advancements in manufacturing suddenly made it feasible to produce mantle clocks on a vast scale. The Ansonia Clock company, based in Ansonia, Connecticut, manufactured thousands of cast metal clocks between 1850 and 1929. Clocks done in the French style, such as this Vassar clock, were  popular with those in the middle class with champagne tastes, albeit a less accommodating budget.

Ansonia Figural mantle clock. At Bruhn's in Denver on January 15th, estimate $275-400.

   On the other end of the spectrum is this stunning, 19th century Parisian clock. Given its generous dimensions (26.5" highx 15.5" wide), this clock must have adorned quite some mantle in its day.

French gilt-bronze figural clock. At Christie's on January 10-11th, estimate $4,000-6,000.

Empire Style

An Empire clock graces a mantle in a Bunny Williams dining room. From Point of View.

During Napoleon's reign, French design became decidedly more restrained. No longer looking to Versailles for direction, French artists, caught up in the democratic fervor of the time, harkened back to Greece and Rome. This rebirth of classic influences--neoclassicism--long outlived the emperor; indeed, it became the prevailing design style of the 19th and 20th century, popular to this very day. So-called "Empire" mantle clocks appear in many shapes and sizes, but the signature, iconic style is the portico clock, which gets its name because the clock face appears suspended between (or in some cases perched above) ionic columns. Depending on the style, portico clocks can look fantastic in modern settings.

Charles X Empire Clock. At Freeman's in Philadelphia on January 25th, estimate $800-1,200.

French Empire Style clock. At auction in New Jersey on January 16th, estimate $300-400.

This stunning Italian clock sold, fittingly, on New Year's Day. The hammer price was $500.

Michael Smith is one of my favorite designers. I've always loved this guest bedroom, which appears in his book Elements of Style.The Empire clock looks so wonderful on this dresser (though, um, it is a dresser has been so styled it wouldn't hold any of YOUR things).

A gilt bronze Empire clock with all the bells and whistles. In Palm Beach on January 16th, estimate $2,000-3,000.

A mantle clock can be a nice focal point atop a chest of drawers. From Point of View.

French Empire Style inlaid rosewood mantle clock, at auction in Denver on January 15th, estimate $475-600.

A neoclassical style gilt-bronze clock. In Chicago on January 22nd, estimate $600-800.

Suzanne Kasler uses an Empire clock on a sideboard.

As mentioned, there will be more mantle clocks to come later in the week. For now, Happy New Year--and Happy Bidding!