Incredible French Mid 19th Century, Gilt Spelter Mantel Clock with Sevres Hand Painted Porcelain in Celeste Bleu by Parisian Master Sculptor/Clockmaker Phillipe H. Mourey (1840-1910)

This is a large and exquisite French gilt spelter mantel clock with bleu celeste hand painted Sevres style porcelain panels, by the renowned Parisian clock maker Phillipe H. Mourey (1840-1910). Mourey was a master French sculptor and was best known for his work combining porcelain plaques and metal mounts and had a close association with Japy Freres & Co. the noted 19th C. Paris clockmaker.

This large mantel lock is beautifully cast, and gilt decorated in Rococo (LouisXV style) and classical (LouisXVI style) motifs.  The upper portion has a Sevres style porcelain urn, with a hand painted portrait of Marie Antoinette, trimmed in painted “ribbon” pastel pink and linked to the main casing with gilt scrolls and wreaths.  Symmetrical putti recline to each side of the center piece dial depicting a “wine harvest” theme to include “draping” gilt wreaths of foliage with grapes and flowers. The circular enamel centre piece dial with Roman numerals is exquisitely hand painted in celeste blue porcelain with gold highlights and a pastel pink star-like floral radiating pattern. The ornate gilt metal dial hands have an “open woven” design, one depicts a fish and the other a “flour de lis” motif.

Three hand painted porcelain panels are inset on the front base with two symmetrical classical columns that form “architectural feet”. The small but exquisite “Watteau” style porcelain panel paintings are of hunting/fishing themes. Marked with “PH. Mourey” along with numbers “7” & “63”  likely the month and year of production.