Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set

Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set
French/Japanese, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 47cm, diameter 22cm
Candelabra: Height 55cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm

Consisting of a central vase-form mantel clock and two candelabra, this three-piece clock set beautifully fuses Meiji period Japanese Imari porcelain with French design and gilt bronze craftsmanship.

The case of the central mantel clock is of bulbous vase-shaped form, standing on three ormolu paw feet which are connected with a pierced Japonisme style apron. With blue, red and gold floral and foliate decorations, the Japanese Imari porcelain of the body is exquisite, and reflects the beautiful designs of the Meiji period. In the centre, the dial is crafted from white enamel, painted with gilt Japonisme details and Arabic numerals for the hour indices. It is surrounded by an ormolu rim and surmounted with a tied ribbon. The lid of the vase is domed porcelain, with an ormolu rim and lion-form finial.

The two flanking candelabra are similarly decorated, with porcelain vase bodies and five ormolu candle branches. The vase-form body issues one central candleholder, from which springs four more scrolled lights, each decorated with foliate details.

This unusual clock set, combining both Japanese and French craftsmanship, is an example of the European Japonisme style of decorative arts in the 19th century, following the reopening of Japanese trade in 1858. Japanese ceramics were particularly popular and were exported around the world.