Decorative ornament (2) - France - Napoleon III garnishes

Height: 20 centimeters; width: 14 centimeters.

Elegant pair of French garnitures for a desk clock, made of marble. Due to its architectural design, the combination of stone and metal, and the eclectic ornamentation, the set is in the Napoleon III style, France, second half of the 19th century.

Each piece consists of a stepped base of black marble, with a molded profile, upon which rises a square pedestal decorated at its corners with bronze appliqués of vegetal motifs. The pedestal supports a turned column and an upper circular platform.

The balanced proportions, the curved profiles of the bases, and the contrast between the deep black marble and the gilded details impart to these garnitures a notable decorative presence. They constitute an ideal pair to flank a desk clock over a fireplace, a console, a library, or a display cabinet, but they can also be used as small pedestals for sculptures, bronze clocks, or collectible pieces.

The Second French Empire, associated with the reign of Napoleon III between 1852 and 1870, promoted opulent and eclectic decoration that reinterpreted Renaissance, Baroque, Louis XV, and Louis XVI repertoires. The use of marbles, bronzes, and moldings was especially common in fireplace clocks and their garnitures during this period.

Condition: good overall for its age. They present patina, light signs of use, minor nicks, and occasional marble wear. The images are an essential part of the description and should be reviewed carefully before bidding.

The complete pair is for sale, composed of two garnitures.