French Oval Crystal Regulator with Champlevé by S. Marti & Cie
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1885
According to Renaissance Antiques, this French oval crystal regulator clock dates to circa 1885 and is attributed to Samuel Marti & Cie of Paris. The timepiece is housed in a gilt brass case featuring curved beveled glass panels and borders of colorful champlevé enamel with blue tones.
Its cream enamel dial displays Arabic numerals, painted floral swags, and gilt fleur-de-lis hands, complemented by a champlevé center and bezel. The source reports an 8-day spring-driven Pendule de Paris movement striking a tuned gong on the hour and half-hour, alongside a double-vial mercury-style pendulum.
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 1885
- Type
- Crystal regulator
- Maker
- Samuel Marti & Cie
- Movement
- 8-Day Pendule de Paris
- Dimensions
- 11″H x 9″W x 7″D
- Case Materials
- Gilt brass, champlevé enamel, curved beveled glass
- Place recorded
- France
- Striking Mechanism
- Gong strike at hour and half-hour
- Maker / attribution
- Samuel Marti & Cie
Design
- Visible features
- • Oval gilt brass case fitted with curved glazed panels and decorated with champlevé enamel friezes along the top and base. • Cream enamel dial featuring Arabic numerals, floral garlands, two winding apertures, and gilt hands. • Champlevé enamel accents applied to the central dial disc, outer dial bezel, and pendulum frame. • Two-vial pendulum bob positioned below the movement assembly. • Coiled gong visible within the glazed interior behind the pendulum suspension.
- Dial and Indication
- The dial features a cream-colored enamel ring displaying Arabic numerals, painted floral swag garlands, and gilt fleur-de-lis hands. Two winding apertures are set in the dial surface. A central champlevé enamel medallion sits inside the chapter ring, coordinated with the outer bezel surround.
- Movement and Striking Mechanism
- The source describes an 8-day spring-driven Pendule de Paris movement attributed to Samuel Marti & Cie, striking a tuned gong on the hour and half-hour. Visual inspection confirms a coiled gong mounted in the glazed case behind the suspension. The pendulum bob is configured with two vials in the style of a mercury pendulum, flanked by gilt and champlevé framework. Internal backplate marks and physical movement stamps are not visible in the available photograph and remain unverified.
- Case Architecture and Enamel Decoration
- The clock is built in an oval gilt brass case fitted with curved beveled glass panels enclosing the movement compartment. Visual examination notes champlevé enamel friezes along the top cornice and base, which the seller states feature predominantly blue undertones. Matching champlevé enamel decoration is applied to the central disc of the dial, the dial bezel, and the decorative frame of the double-vial pendulum.
Identification
- Reference
- ROSA 893 P
- 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 backplate, maker stamps, and internal mechanism details are not visible in the photograph.
- Research required: Maker attribution and movement specifications are source-reported and unverified by visible markings.