A French gilt bronze clock in rococo style.

A French gilt bronze clock in rococo style. The rococo style originated in Paris in the early Eighteenth Century, but was soon adopted throughout France and later most of Europe, particularly Austria and Germany. It is characterized by lightness, grace, elegance and much use of curving and natural forms. It is often based on the curving shape of the letters C' and S' as well as the shell motif and other natural forms. Asymmetrical rather than symmetrical design was the rule. Light pastels, ivory white and gold were the predominant colours. The style was dominant from 1715 to the beginning of the baroque period, say 1750. There were frequent revivals, most notably in France in the Nineteenth Century around 1830 and towards the end of the Century when this clock was made. The rococo style was so seminal that elements have influenced design ever since. The C' scroll is found everywhere, so much that its rococo origins are largely overlooked. Many of these features are evident in the case of this clock. The case is made of bronze which has been skillfully chased to provide a wealth of graved detail. This alone must have taken several days. The case was then gilded. This clock was sold by Harrods Antique Department about ten years ago who re-gilded the case during their restoration.