Antique Rococo Louis XV style ormolu and patinated bronze clock set by Denière

Antique Rococo Louis XV style ormolu and patinated bronze clock set by Denière et Fils
French, c. 1870
Clock: Height 59cm, width 52cm, depth 23cm
Candelabra: Height 71cm, width 33cm, depth 28cm
 
Designed in the ornate Louis XV Rococo style, this mid 19th Century Napoleon III Period clock set consists of a central mantel clock with sculptural surmount, and pair of flanking candelabra.
 
The clock is wonderfully decorative, standing on rocaille form feet and featuring ornate ormolu moulding around the base. The base contains the centrally placed circular dial, which has Roman numerals for the hour indices and Arabic numerals for five-minute marks. This is surrounded by an ormolu mask at the top, floral garlands either side, and scrolling rocaille shapes. The clock is surmounted by a patinated bronze sculptural group depicting two cherub children playing with a goat. This subject matter is associated with bacchanalia, and the composition is inspired by a model by celebrated sculptor Claude Michel (or Clodion).
 
The pair of flanking candelabra are of conforming style, each standing on an ornate ormolu base and featuring a patinated bronze stem modelled as another cherub playing with a bird. The candelabra feature ormolu scrolled foliate branches, from which spring six lights on each.
 
The movement and dial are signed, indicating the clockmakers Denière et Fils: the dial features the inscription 'Denière Ft. de Bronzes / A Paris' while the movement is stamped 'Denière' and numbered 3489. The latter is also stamped 'Cailleaux' for the manufacturer of the movement.
 
Denière et Fils (1804-1903) were a celebrated French manufacturer of bronzes. Emperor Napoleon III awarded the firm the prestigious honour of ‘Fornisseurs de Roi’ (King's Supplier) and commissioned them to make various objects of art for the royal household.
 
Artist/Maker: Denière et Fils