Large Napoleon III Period Fireplace Set, Circa 1855

An important mantelpiece in white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze, comprising a clock and two four-light candelabras held by musician putti, seated on fluted truncated columns.
The clock features a decoration of an angel seated on a column holding a drape supporting a cylinder containing the movement with an enameled dial decorated with flowers and indicating the hours in Arabic numerals.
The elements rest on four spinning feet.
French work in the style of Clodion.
Movement signed by the clockmaker VINCENTI, silver medal 1855.

Circa 1855

Dimensions:

Clock
Height 54 cm
Length 33 cm
Depth 28 cm

Candelabra
Height 65 cm
Length 29 cm
Depth 26 cm

Our pieces are sold with a certificate of authenticity.
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Biography of the VINCENTI Watchmaking House
Born in Corsica, Jean (Ghjuvanni-Giovanni) Vincenti founded the watchmaking company Vincenti & Cie in Montbéliard on October 6, 1823. Vincenti developed his own production machinery and equipment for the manufacture of wheels, pinions, rough movements (Roulant Blancs), and complete watch movements. After a few years, the company encountered financial difficulties and was forced to file for bankruptcy on February 24, 1828.

Operations Director Jean "Albert" Roux acquired some of Vincenti's shares and those of his business partner James Thayer. This sale of shares enabled the struggling company to receive a capital injection of 110,000 francs. On October 24, 1829, Vincenti & Cie was able to resume operations. Despite health problems, the founder of the Vincenti company set out to find new production methods. In Paris, he met Henri Laresche. Laresche advised Vincenti on this matter. Six years after its bankruptcy, in 1834 in Paris, the company wowed the jury with its watches: their achievement was rewarded with a silver medal. Jean Vincenti did not live to see the comeback; he died of cancer in 1833.
After Jean Vincenti's death, Albert Roux took over the company. The name change to Albert Roux & Cie was likely for legal reasons, as the watches continued to be sold under the Vincentie & Cie brand. In 1855, the company won another gold medal. The company traditionally continued to operate a representative office in Paris at Rue des Arquebusiers (show this address), later at 110 Rue Vieille-du-Temple. From 1863, the companies Vincenti & Cie, Japy Frères & Cie, and S. Marti & Cie worked closely together in the production and marketing of watches. The biography of Emile Louis Japy attests to this: around 1870, he was a director and shareholder of Marti & Cie and Vincenti & Cie.
Vincenti & Cie existed until 1923.