Clock in rock crystal and ormolu by l'escalier de crystal circa 1880

Clock in rock crystal and ormolu

Rare and precious finely chiseled bronze clock.
It features a rocky mound decorated with vegetation and a winding shrub beneath which rests an Asian rock crystal "magot" figure.
The latter rests on a hollowed-out bronze jar pouring a cascade of water.
The shrub is finished with acanthus scrolls that support the movement.
The latter features a white enameled dial with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes.

High-quality chasing and mercury gilding, and beautiful purity of the rock crystal with little frosting and inclusions.

Very well-preserved.

Work of the "L'escalier de cristal"* firm, Paris circa 1880.

The design of our clock is preserved in the sketchbook known as the "red notebook" of Henry Pannier (1853-1935); it is published on page 277 of Annick and Didier Masseau's book "L'escalier de cristal, le luxe à Paris 1809-1883" (The Crystal Staircase, Luxury in Paris 1809-1883), published by Monelle Hayot.

L’Escalier de Cristal is a Parisian luxury house founded in the early 19th century in the arcades of the Palais Royal. It is famous for its creations combining crystal and bronze. Its reputation became international after the 1818 exhibition of French industrial products and the purchase by the Duchess of Berry of a crystal dressing table and chair.
Under the direction of the Pannier brothers in the late 19th century, it became a major player in Japanese taste and Art Nouveau. Its refinement and prestigious clientele are today uniquely reflected in the Carnets rouges (Red Notebooks) kept by Henry Pannier, a precious memory of a lost expertise.