Vintage 19th Century Blue/White Faience/Delft Style Mantel Clock

12" x  7 5/8"

"Flamande blue" (Flemish blue) or "Flamant bleu" often refers to

19th-century blue and white Faience (tin-glazed pottery) or Delft-style mantel clocks. These clocks are characterized by their hand-painted, often Delft-style landscape or floral designs, typically featuring a deep cobalt blue on white ceramic. They were manufactured in France, Holland, and Germany during the late 18th and primarily the 19th century, with many pieces showcasing a mix of porcelain and gilt metal mounts (ormolu). 

Details and Characteristics

    Case Material: Hand-painted Faience, Delftware, or Sevres-style porcelain, often paired with gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.

    Design/Decoration: Traditional Dutch/French scenes including landscapes, sailboats, cherubs, and intricate floral motifs.

    Movement: Typically 19th-century French mechanical movements, sometimes stamped with "Medaille d'Argent 1855" or maker names like Japy Freres.

    Face: Faience or porcelain dials with Roman numerals, often protected by a convex glass cover. 

Era and History

    Primary Era: Late 19th Century (roughly 1860-1900), with earlier pieces dating back to the 1700s.

    History: These clocks originated as part of the decorative porcelain boom in Europe. They were designed to sit on fireplace mantels or shelves (pendule de cheminée) and were popular for bringing artistic, ornate styling into wealthy homes.

    Origins: While Delft Blue is associated with the Netherlands, many "Flamant Bleu" style mantel clocks were produced in France or Germany (e.g., Villeroy & Boch-Mehlem) to satisfy the high demand for French Rococo and Louis XVI styles. 

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