French Napoleon III Portico Barley-Twist Marquetry Mantel Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1880
This French Napoleon III style portico mantel clock is dated by the seller to circa 1880. Handcrafted from dark burled walnut with satinwood marquetry inlays, the case incorporates four spiral barley-twist ebonized columns mounted on a stepped plinth base with ormolu capitals and bases.
Suspended between the portico columns is a movement enclosed in an ornate gilt foliate bezel surrounding a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, signed 'Le Roy A Paris'. Below the movement swings an elaborate cast gilt pendulum bob. According to the seller, the eight-day movement strikes on a bell every half hour and bears model number 2273 on the rear.
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
- Type
- Portico mantel clock
- Materials
- Dark burled walnut, satinwood marquetry, and bronze ormolu
- Dial Signature
- Le Roy A Paris
- Place recorded
- France
- Case Architecture
- Four barley-twist ebonized columns
- Maker / attribution
- Le Roy A Paris
- Model Number Marking
- 2273
- Movement Duration & Striking
- 8-day movement striking every half hour
Design
- Visible features
- • Four ebonized barley-twist spiral columns framing the suspended movement and pendulum. • White enamel dial displaying black Roman numerals and twin winding arbors. • Ornate gilt foliate bezel surrounding the movement housing and matching decorative pendulum bob. • Intricate foliate marquetry inlay on the pediment, entablature, base platform, and plinth front.
- Dial and Mechanism
- The white enamel dial features black Roman numerals and is signed 'Le Roy A Paris'. The clock is reported by the seller to have an eight-day movement that strikes on a bell every half hour. The rear of the clock is marked 'Le Roy A Paris' and '2273'.
- Condition and Attribution
- The object is described by the seller as being in gently used antique condition with light wear consistent with age. It is accompanied by the original key. The date of circa 1880 is provided by the seller. The association with specific historic clockmakers is a commercial claim provided in the source listing.
- Construction and Materials
- This portico-style mantel clock features a case handcrafted from dark burled walnut with satinwood marquetry detailing. The architectural design includes four tapered, ebonized barley-twist columns. The structure rests on a stepped plinth base and incorporates bronze ormolu mounts around the white enamel dial and the pendulum.
Identification
- Reference
- 2273
- 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: Movement operation, bell striking, and internal marks are unverified seller claims not visible in the photo.
- Research required: Association with the historic Parisian Le Roy horological workshops is an unverified commercial attribution.