Late 19th-century French black marble and malachite mantel clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 19th century
This late 19th-century French mantel clock is constructed in an architectural scroll case made of black marble with inlaid malachite. The source reports an eight-day movement striking on a bell, with the backplate stamped 'G V 30096' (tentatively attributed to Gay Vicarino) and carrying a pastille inscribed 'L.
Marti & Cie, MEDAILLE BRONZE'. The upper white enamel dial displays Roman numerals and a visible Brocot escapement set into a recessed center. Beneath it, a secondary calendar dial provides subsidiary day, month, and date indications alongside an aperture for a moonphase against a painted starry sky. An applied brass plaque records a July 1889 retirement presentation to Richard Harding.
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
- Mantel clock
- Dimensions
- 43.5cm high, 34cm wide, 18cm deep
- Escapement
- Visible Brocot escapement
- Maker pastille
- L. Marti & Cie, MEDAILLE BRONZE
- Place recorded
- France
- Backplate stamp
- G V 30096
- Maker / attribution
- L. Marti & Cie
- Presentation inscription
- Retirement of Richard Harding, July 1889
- Movement duration and strike
- Eight-day movement striking on a bell
Design
- Visible features
- • Arched architectural case of black polished marble with stepped plinth and scroll-profile shoulders. • Twin glazed circular brass bezels housing an upper time dial and a lower calendar dial. • Green malachite veneer framing the lower dial aperture and set as a central lozenge in the lower base. • Upper enamel chapter ring with Roman numerals and an exposed Brocot escapement in the sunken center. • Lower calendar dial with three subsidiary dials for day, date, and month, beneath an arched moonphase display with painted clouds and stars. • Brass presentation plaque mounted flat on the stepped base shelf above the plinth.
- Dial Configuration
- The frontage features twin glazed circular brass bezels. The upper dial comprises a white enamel chapter ring with Roman numerals, featuring a sunken center that reveals the Brocot escapement. Positioned beneath this is a secondary calendar dial, which includes three subsidiary indicators for day, date, and month, alongside an arched moonphase display featuring a painted sky.
- Internal Mechanism and Attribution
- The movement is reported by the source as an eight-day mechanism that strikes on a bell. The backplate carries a pastille inscribed 'L. Marti & Cie, MEDAILLE BRONZE'. The backplate is also stamped 'G V 30096'. The source includes a tentative attribution for the 'G V' stamp to Gay Vicarino. These components are not visible in the provided imagery.
- Case Construction and Ornamentation
- The clock is housed in an arched architectural case composed of black polished marble. The design incorporates scroll-profile shoulders and a stepped plinth base. Decorative elements include inlaid green malachite, which serves to frame the lower dial aperture and acts as a central lozenge set into the lower base of the clock. A brass presentation plaque is mounted on the stepped base shelf. This plaque records a retirement presentation to Richard Harding in July 1889.
Identification
- Serial number
- 30096
- 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 attribution of the 'G V' stamp to Gay Vicarino is qualified by the source as tentative.
- Research required: The internal eight-day bell-striking movement, stamped markings, and backplate are not visible in the provided front photograph.