Lot 145
145
A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE
A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE
A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE
A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE
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A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE

BY HOUDEBINE, PARIS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

Details
A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE THREE-PIECE CLOCK GARNITURE
BY HOUDEBINE, PARIS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of ten-light candelabra CASE: surmounted by an athenienne and flanked by a pair of female maidens, the dial atop a fluted column swagged with berried laurel and fronted by a putto, above a shaped base adorned with a ribbon tied torch and quiver trophy, the sides flanked by urns above a floral wreath, on hoof and toupie feet, DIAL: the enamel dial with pierced gilt hands and Arabic chapters signed H. Houdebine & Fils. A Paris' MOVEMENT: twin barrel Brocot suspension rack striking to bell, with pendulum; the candelabra en suite: each with a spirally-fluted vase flanked by putto and centered by a female mask to the front and reverse, issuing ten foliate and spirally-twisted scrolled branches with drip pans and nozzles, centred by a floral trophy, on a shaped base and conforming feet
The clock: 41 in. (104 cm.) high; 28 in. (71 cm.) wide;
The candelabra: 42½ in. (108 cm.) high (3)
Literature
L. Gonse, E. de Beaumont, 'Les industries d'art au champ de Mars', Gazette des Beaux-arts, 1878, II, 'Les bronzes'.
'Exposition universelle de 1878, Paris: Rapport sur les bronzes d'art, fontes d'art diverses et métaux repoussés', Raport du jury international 1880-1884, Gr. III, Cl. 25.
Ed. M. Émile Molinier, Les Art du Métal, Paris, 1892, p. 102.

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Emma Durkin
Emma Durkin

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Lot Essay

This opulent Louis XVI-style clock garniture was exhibited by Henri Houdebine et Cie at the l'Exposition universelle, Paris in 1878. Le rapport du jury described the model as,
'M. Joindry a composé pour M. Houdebine une joli garniture Louis XVI, pendule et candélabras dont les figures sont modelées par M. Auguste Moreau. Cette garniture executée, marbre blanc et or mat, est d'un bel effet décoratif' ('Exposition universelle de 1878, Paris: Rapport sur les bronzes d'art, fontes d'art diverses et métaux repoussés', Rapport du jury international 1880-1884. Gr. III, Cl. 25).
An engraving for one of the candelabra was subsequently featured in Ed. M. Émile Molinier, Les Arts du Métal, Paris, 1892, p. 102, suggesting the continued importance of the model.

In 1845, Henri Houdebine, a Parisian bronzier, established Henri Houdebine et Cie to produce a wide variety of objects and sculptural works of the highest order. The firm exhibited clocks and garnitures, torchères and sculptures in popular revival styles prevalent at the time in most of the important international exhibitions of the 19th century, including Paris in 1878 and 1889 where the firm was awarded une médaille d'or for the entirety of their exhibits, and Chicago in 1893.

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