Neo-Gothic fireplace ornament in silver-plated bronze, gilded bronze, and painted enamel—19th century

Exceptional neo-Gothic mantelpiece set in gilded and silvered bronze, adorned with enamel—French School, 19th century
A remarkable mantelpiece set of exceptional craftsmanship, consisting of a central clock and a pair of candelabra, crafted from richly chiseled bronze and enhanced by a double gilded and silvered patina.
With a distinct Neo-Gothic inspiration, the set displays a sophisticated architectural style directly derived from the 19th-century medieval revival.
Slender pinnacles, trefoil arches, openwork tracery, and foliage motifs elegantly evoke the ornamental vocabulary of Gothic architecture, in a spirit closely aligned with the designs championed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and the French historicist movement.
The clock, with its particularly refined design, features an enameled dial with blue Roman numerals, set within a richly decorated frame. The base is adorned with polychrome enamel cartouches depicting relief profiles, in a style inspired by the Renaissance, reflecting the eclectic taste characteristic of the Second Empire.
The five-light candelabra, of great elegance, echo this formal repertoire with remarkable consistency. Their finely chiseled arms, embellished with decorative chains and architectural elements, exemplify goldsmithing craftsmanship of the highest order.
A remarkable feature: each enamel cartouche is unique, featuring a variety of profiles and decorative motifs, which gives the entire set a distinctive and precious character.
Through the quality of its chasing, the richness of its materials, and the sophistication of its design, this set is in keeping with the work of the great Parisian bronze artisans of the second half of the 19th century, within the decorative arts movement fostered during the Second Empire.
Period: 19th century (second half)
Attribution: French school, in the style of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc
Style: Neo-Gothic, Second Empire Eclecticism
Materials: gilded and silvered bronze, polychrome enamels
A spectacular work, emblematic of 19th-century refinement and historicist taste, intended for a first-rate collection or a prestigious setting.
Clock: H: 36 cm, W: 24.4 cm
Candelabra: H: 43.5 cm, W: 23.5 cm

Ref: QCO2I7IQ8W