French Red Boulle Mantel Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1880
This antique French mantel clock is constructed with a red Boulle-style marquetry casing in a serpentine form. Dating to approximately 1880, the clock features cast brass mounts and decorative capitals positioned at the front and sides of the case.
The brass dial is fitted with individual porcelain Roman numeral cartridges, and the movement is a mechanical, 8-day duration type capable of striking on a bell on the hour and half-hour. A sunburst-pattern brass pendulum is suspended within the case and is visible through the rear access door.
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 1880
- Type
- Mantel clock
- Country
- France
- Case style
- Red Boulle
- Place recorded
- France
- Movement duration
- 8-day
- Striking mechanism
- Bell strike
Design
- Visible features
- • Red Boulle marquetry casing with serpentine silhouette • Cast brass sunburst-pattern pendulum • Porcelain Roman numeral hour markers on brass dial
- Dial and Timekeeping
- The dial is composed of a brass center plate featuring intricate engraved details. The time is displayed via individual porcelain cartridges, each marked with Roman numerals in blue. These cartridges are arranged in a circular formation around the central dial assembly. Winding holes are positioned on the dial, allowing access to the mechanical movement. The clock is an 8-day timepiece, meaning it requires winding approximately once a week to maintain regular operation.
- Movement and Pendulum
- The mechanical movement is housed within the casing and includes a striking mechanism that hits a bell on the hour and half-hour. This system is visible through the rear, where the bell is mounted above the pendulum assembly. A brass sunburst pendulum regulates the timekeeping. It is accessible through the rear door of the clock case, providing a view of both the pendulum and the movement backplate, which bears the number 1871.
- Case and Aesthetic Features
- The clock is designed in a serpentine, or wavy, body shape finished in red Boulle-style marquetry. This technique involves decorative inlay set against a red ground, integrated with cast brass elements that frame the structure. Brass capitals are positioned at the front and sides of the case, contributing to the architectural appearance. The base and corners of the clock are supported by cast brass feet and fittings, which serve both structural and ornamental roles. The design prioritizes the contrast between the red ground of the marquetry and the bright yellow tone of the metallic components.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1871
- 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: Condition of mainsprings and striking gear functionality not verified
- Research required: Exact dimensions not provided in source