Japanese style gilt bronze and enamel clock set

Japanese style gilt bronze and enamel clock set
French, 19th Century
Clock: Height 40cm, width 26cm, depth 18cm
Candelabra: Height 46cm, width 20cm, depth 20cm
 
This beautiful clock set is designed in a fanciful Japanese style, known in France in the 19th Century as ‘Japonisme’. The style became highly fashionable in Europe after 1853, when Japan reopened to trade with the West. Japanese goods—including fans, kimonos, bronzes, lacquers and silks—flooded into Europe, and began to influence the style of fine and decorative art produced there.
 
The clock set is comprised of a central clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The clock is shaped like a Japanese pavilion, featuring a rectangular body, covered by a pierced domed roof with a shaped finial. Two sculptural moth-like creatures with long tails top the shoulders of the pavilion body. The front of the clock features a circular glass case, containing a dial decorated with a central foliate yellow, green and blue cloisonné enamel ring, and gilt Kanji Numerals. The space below the dial is decorated with a yellow cloisonné enamel band, with green, blue and red foliage, flanked by high relief cherry tree motifs. Sculptural cloud-like forms decorate the lower body of the clock, mirroring the moth-like creatures above. The body is set on a rectangular base, with cherry tree relief forms and decorative pierced side panels. The base is set on four feet, the front two of which are cast as elephant heads. The clock is stamped with the maker's name, 'Japy Freres & Cie/ Med D’ Honneur' and 'HR'.
 
The candelabra that flank the clock are of similar design. Each candelabrum features five candleholders, supported on scrolling cherry tree branches. These spring from vase-shaped stems, which are decorated with cherry tree relief patterns, and mounted with handles in the form of mythical beasts. The candelabra stand on square bases, decorated with cherry blossom relief work, and set on pierced panel feet.
 
Artist/Maker: Japy Freres