Oriental style gilt bronze and champlevé enamel clock set

Oriental style gilt bronze and champlevé enamel clock set
French, c.1880
Clock: Height 44cm, width 22.5cm, depth 15.5cm
Candelabra: Height 43cm, width 19cm, depth 18cm
 
This clock set was designed in France in the late 19th Century in a fanciful ‘Oriental’ style. The set is comprised of a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra, all of which have been crafted from gilt bronze (ormolu) and ornately decorated with champlevé enamel. In the champlevé method, designs are cut into the surface of the metal object, creating cells which are then filled with vitreous enamel.
 
The mantel clock is of rectangular form with a break-arch top which is crowned by a vase finial. This vase is finely decorated with navy, light blue, red, pink and yellow enamels, forming stylised floral motifs. The clock case’s shoulders are topped by two scrolled handles, which are ornamented with navy enamel foliate designs.
 
Within the arch of the clock case, there is a circular dial with a light blue enamel centre which features gilt cartouches containing black Roman Numerals. The dial is fitted with a gilt bronze hour and minute hand and set within a gilt bronze bezel. It is encircled by a navy enamel border, decorated with red, white and gold geometric patterns. This border continues around the sides of the front of the clock to frame a light blue centre decorated with colourful flowers, plants and birds. The sides of the clock are of similar design. The bottom of the clock case is U-shaped, and it is set on four scrolled feet. 
 
The pair of candelabra are designed in a complementary style to the mantel clock. The stems of the candelabra are crowned by pierced circular navy enamel finials with a ruyi head tops. Each candelabrum supports four candle-holders on scrolled arms. These arms and stems are decorated with light blue enamel bands, which feature yellow, red, green and navy flower chains. The lower sections of the stems are encircled by ornamental pierced knops. The stems spring from shaped bodies with waisted bases, which are decorated with colourful enamels and fitted with elephant head handles. The candelabra stand on moulded square plinths, set on scrolled feet.