French Empire Marble Portico Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1830
This French portico mantel clock, dated circa 1830, features a white marble architectural frame with black marble detailing and ormolu mounts. The movement is an 8-day, bell-striking mechanism with an exposed sunburst pendulum suspended by a silk ribbon.
The clock features a convex dial signed "Le Roy Paris" and is set within a case incorporating ormolu-capped reeded columns and an ormolu finial depicting a botanical arrangement. The overall dimensions are 50cm high by 34cm wide and 10cm deep. It exhibits light signs of age, and the auction description reports it is in good condition for its age.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1830
- Dial
- Convex
- Type
- Portico mantel clock
- Maker
- Le Roy
- Mounts
- Ormolu
- Pendulum
- Masked sunburst
- Dimensions
- 50cm x 34cm x 10cm
- Suspension
- Original silk
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Unknown (Dial signature "Le Roy Paris" is not verified)
Design
- Visible features
- • Exposed pendulum features a masked sunburst design • Dial includes black Roman numerals and hands • Base and top sections are decorated with ormolu beaded trim • Movement is visible from the rear of the clock through the open portico frame
- Movement and Function
- The clock is powered by an 8-day movement that provides a bell-striking function. A key feature of the movement is the exposed pendulum, which is designed with a masked sunburst face. The pendulum is suspended by what is described as the original silk suspension, a mechanism for regulating timekeeping in early 19th-century French clocks. The rear of the clock reveals the movement mechanism, including the strike bell positioned behind the dial. The auction description indicates that the clock is in working order, although it displays signs of age commensurate with its production date of approximately 1830.
- Condition and Maintenance
- The auction house reports that the clock is in good condition considering its age. The description emphasizes the importance of reviewing the provided photographs to assess the condition of these materials. The clock is described as a piece that retains its original components, such as the silk suspension, which is an noted feature of the assembly.
- Case and Aesthetic Features
- The clock is constructed as a portico-style mantel piece, utilizing white marble as the primary material, accented with black marble bases for the two primary columns. The architectural assembly includes ormolu-capped, reeded columns and a central ormolu finial depicting grapes and foliage. The base of the clock is rectangular and incorporates additional ormolu decorative elements. The dial is convex in profile and features black Roman numerals. The overall design incorporates ormolu mounts, specifically at the column capitals and on the base, providing a consistent decorative scheme. The pendulum is an integral part of the visual composition, suspended by a silk thread between the two pillars.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact identity of the maker beyond the dial signature remains unverified
- Research required: The long-term functional status of the original silk suspension is not specified