Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Antique & Huge Hand Carved Wall Clock by Parisian Top Makers Guéret Frères 1860s

About the Item

One of a kind wall clock by world famous Parisian makers and master carvers. This antique oak wall clock was all handcrafted and handcarved by the world famous Guéret Frères. This firm was founded in 1853 and continued in production until the end of the 19th century. From 1855 onwards Guéret Frères exhibited regularly at the great international exhibitions and often won medals. It was particularly noted for its carved furniture and with pieces held in the collections of some of the most prominent museums in the world their superior craftsmanship is still recognized today. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London have a cabinet from the exact same period as this stunning clock. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York owns a stunning antique clock that was designed by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (French). This clock comes with a mechanism by Cartier and it too was all hand carved by Guéret Frères. Apart from a few minor imperfections this unique, large, impressive and meaningful wall clock is in excellent condition. At some point in time however, the original clock mechanism was removed (as shown in image 12 and 13) and it has been replaced with a simple, yet practical, battery operated time mechanism via which it now runs perfectly and silently and without striking. We know this is not ideal (from a purist collector's perspective), but you only very rarely get a chance to own a piece by a 19th century maker of whom even the curators of some of the most prominent museums in the world are so impressed that they still have their work on perminent display today. Thusfar we 'only' spoke about the uniqueness, the large size, the beauty and the quality of the workmanship of this impressive antique wall clock. But when it comes to the work of all great designers/makers/artists then there always is that extra layer that takes their work to another level. That extra layer ofcourse is the deeper meaning of their work and what they (the makers) try to leave behind in the world of today and tomorrow. This antique truly is laced with symbolism and many of the symbols that are incorporated here touch the essence of our existence. Both the two dragon-like gargoyles atop AND the typical yet unique French grotesque masks have been attributed with the power to ward off evil spirits. The bird's nest on the left of the putto sculptures represents the security and safety of a home. The torch on the opposite side of the bird's nest stands for hope and chances. Just like it does in the hands of Lady Liberty. The putto are winged infants who either play the role of angelic spirits in religious works or who act as instruments of profane love. Finally, the many and beautifully detailed fruit carvings, like human life, are intended to portray the transient nature related to our existence. We come into existence and we know that our time on earth is limited. And with fruits having such a short 'shelf life' they are the perfect symbol for the nature of all things physical. At the center of all these life-symbols there is ofcourse the timepiece, the clock. And we feel this is the artist's / maker's way of communicating to us to use our time on earth well. With the original clock mechanism not being there anymore that does ofcourse affect the value and we therefor are asking thousands less than we could and would had it been there too. Mind you, our fair price for this one of a kind and top quality carved wall clock includes perfect packing (in a custom made box) and also worldwide shipping from our store to your door within 4 to 6 workdays. Maximum height x width x depth: 39 x 24.4 x 5.9 inches. We have a passion for the unique, for quality, for stylish yet practical and for craftsmanship of years gone by. Your purchases will be extremely well packaged and we look forward to serving you (again).
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 24.4 in (61.98 cm)Depth: 5.9 in (14.99 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical Revival (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1860-1870
  • Condition:
    Replacements made: The battery operated 'clock mechanism' is a replacement. Please also read our item description. Wear consistent with age and use. Please also read our item description.
  • Seller Location:
    Lisse, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: FiGQ3288363268usfree1stDibs: LU2341339665022
More From This SellerView All
  • Unique Denmark Made Classical Roman Wall Clock with Sculptures and Flowers
    Located in Lisse, NL
    Tasteful and unique wooden wall clock with sculptural front. The magnificent front of this midcentury era wall clock is entirely hand carved out of solid wood. It is difficult to se...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Wall Clocks

    Materials

    Brass

  • Large and Hand Carved Gothic Revival with Carillon Sound Wall Clock, ca 1900
    Located in Lisse, NL
    Stunning clock for the collectors of rare and truly stylish Gothic antiques. Gothic wall clocks are a rare find and this more than three feet tall specimen probably is the best an...
    Category

    Early 20th Century French Gothic Revival Wall Clocks

    Materials

    Brass, Enamel, Wrought Iron

  • Large Swiss Black Forest Hand Carved Wall Clock Plaque with Pheasant Sculptures
    Located in Lisse, NL
    This large Swiss masterpiece wall plaque with clock is in perfect condition. The realistic and detailed carving consists of a pair of pheasant, a bird's nest, fine leafs and branche...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Wall Clocks

    Materials

    Wood

  • Rare Bronze & Black Marble Clock Set by Deniere A Paris the Philosopher, c.1860
    By Maison Deniere
    Located in Lisse, NL
    Rare & fabulous Antique Napoleon lll clock garniture with incredible quality bronze sculptures. You will rarely see a clock garniture with bronzes of this quality and detail. The bearded thinker/philosopher on top of the marble clock is simply astonishing. His natural poisture, his hair, face and hands, but also his clothes, it is all of a quality and detail that only a master sculptor can achieve. And the patina also is just perfect. The philosopher is marked on the back and it reads 'BE x'. The two bronze female (classical maiden) sculptures are in fact two stunning candle holders and they too stand on beautifully shaped black marble bases with cartouches. These majestic candle holders are marked on the sides 'L.V.E. ROBERT' (Louis Valentin Elias Robert) and on the back they read 'AD x'. The black marble clock comes with a circular dial face with gilt Roman numerals and this clock has a well working movement. The movement is stamped 'DENIERE / A PARIS' and '2165'. On the bottom it reads A.Blacher and there also is a cachet with 'MEDAILLE D'OR / Paris / 1827'. If you like this one of a kind, clock set as much as we do then you will love our price. Especially, since perfect packing (in a custom made crate) and worldwide delivery from our store to your door in just 4 days are complimentary. Maximum clock height x width x depth: 22 x 17 x 8.5 inches. The large figure candle holders...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze

  • Antique Bronze and Brass Mantel Clock, Enameled Roman Numerals, Lion Sculptures
    Located in Lisse, NL
    Elaborate and fine quality workmanship clock from the late 1800s. If you have never had the pleasure of owning a beautiful antique clock then ...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Table Clocks and D...

    Materials

    Bronze, Metal, Brass

  • Rare Antique Gothic Revival Gilt Bronze Wall Cartel Clock with Griffin Sculpture
    Located in Lisse, NL
    Stunning and perfect running Gothic architectural design bronze wall clock, from circa 1880. If you like rare antiques in general and one of a kind clocks in particular then this handcrafted specimen for wall mounting could be the perfect addition to your collection or Gothic (inspired) interior. This fine quality antique...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Wall Clocks

    Materials

    Brass, Bronze

You May Also Like
  • Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
    Located in Berghuelen, DE
    Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Wall Clocks

    Materials

    Wood

  • French Bronze Dore Mantle Clock by Leveque Guéret, 19th Century
    By Guéret Frères
    Located in Lisbon, PT
    Louis XVI gilded bronze watch. Enamelled dial with hollow hands White marble pedestal richly decorated with gilded bronze, and in the center a bas-relief with an ibex / goat symbol o...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze, Ormolu

  • American Craft, Hand Wall Clock , Scandinavian Modern Design by George Gordon
    By George Gordon & Co 1
    Located in Buffalo, NY
    Truly stunning be-spoke handcrafted hanging grandfather pendulum wall clock by George Gordon circa 1980. Made in the manner of high end Scandinavian / Danish design and construction....
    Category

    Vintage 1980s American American Craftsman Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Brass

  • Antique German Black Forest Wall Clock, Circa 1880.
    Located in New Orleans, LA
    Antique German Black Forest Wall Clock with Carved Bird and Florals, Circa 1880.
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century German Wall Clocks

    Materials

    Wood

  • Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head
    Located in Berghuelen, DE
    Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Wall Clocks

    Materials

    Wood

  • Huge 1970s Brutalist Brass and Copper Sunburst Sculpture Clock
    By Curtis Jeré
    Located in Las Vegas, NV
    Enormous 3 foot wide wall art sculpture clock from the early 1970s. Torch cut brass and copper "leaf" design welded to a inner copper rod frame. Wood c...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Brass, Copper

Recently Viewed

View All