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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Cartel clock

A French brass cartel clock retailed by Boudet, Paris

Partially verified

Catalogued as a nineteenth-century French brass cartel clock retailed by Boudet, Paris, the piece measures 77 cm high. The Rococo style case incorporates scrolling foliage, rocaille, swirling clouds, a patinated seated maiden surmount, and two cherub figures. Its convex white enamelled dial is inscribed 'Boudet A Paris' and 'Lance Balancier', marked with Roman hour numerals and Arabic five-minute indicators. According to the auction description, the brass eight-day movement strikes on a bell, carries a Marti et Cie pastille on the backplate, and is stamped 'Le Merle Charpentier F.ant Bronzes, Paris, 1210'. A pendulum bob is visible below the dial.

Front view of the French brass and patinated metal Rococo cartel clock
Front view of the French brass and patinated metal Rococo cartel clock — Woolley and Wallis. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Category
Clock · Cartel clock
Maker / attribution
Boudet, Paris (retailer); Le Merle Charpentier; Marti et Cie
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1182
Source-reported date
19th century
Country
France
Source-reported serial
1210

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Decorative Style

The cartel clock is described as measuring 77 cm in height. The design incorporates a Rococo-style case featuring a patinated seated maiden at the surmount and two cherubs, with additional decorative elements including rocaille, foliage, flowers, and swirling clouds.

Visual observation confirms the presence of dark patinated figures and a gilt-colored case. The pendulum bob is visible through an aperture located beneath the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “77cm high”
  • “Rococo style case with a patinated maiden and two cherubs amongst rocaille, foliage and swirling clouds”

Dial and Visual Indicators

The timepiece features a convex white enamelled dial. The dial is inscribed 'Boudet A Paris' and 'Lance Balancier', and it is marked with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for five-minute intervals.

The dial includes pierced hands and winding squares positioned at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions.

Evidence for this section
  • “on a convex enamelled dial with black Roman and Arabic numerals and inscribed 'Boudet A Paris' and 'Lance Balancier'”
  • “Convex white enamelled dial with pierced gilt hands and winding squares at 4 and 8 o'clock.”

Internal Mechanism and Marks

Auction documentation states the clock contains a brass eight-day movement that strikes on a bell. The backplate is reported to carry a Marti et Cie pastille and is stamped 'Le Merle Charpentier F.ant Bronzes, Paris, 1210'.

These technical details regarding the movement and internal stamps are based on auction reports and were not verified by physical inspection.

Evidence for this section
  • “the brass eight day movement striking on a bell and stamped 'Le Merle Charpentier F.ant Bronzes, Paris, 1210' and with a Marti et Cie pastille to the backplate”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the inscription 'Lance Balancier' on the dial?
  • Can the serial number '1210' be verified against existing records for Le Merle Charpentier?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A French brass cartel clock retailed by Boudet, Paris
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
RetailerBoudet, Paris“RETAILED BY BOUDET, PARIS”
Date19th Century“19TH CENTURY”
MovementBrass eight day movement striking on a bell“the brass eight day movement striking on a bell”
Backplate StampLe Merle Charpentier F.ant Bronzes, Paris, 1210“stamped 'Le Merle Charpentier F.ant Bronzes, Paris, 1210'”
PastilleMarti et Cie“with a Marti et Cie pastille to the backplate”
Dial InscriptionsBoudet A Paris and Lance Balancier“inscribed 'Boudet A Paris' and 'Lance Balancier'”
Height77cm high“77cm high”

Visible details

  • Convex white enamelled dial with pierced gilt hands and winding squares at 4 and 8 o'clock.
  • Dark patinated figures of a seated maiden at the top and two winged cherubs below.
  • Gilt brass or bronze case sculpted with scrolling rocaille, foliage, flowers, and cloud forms.
  • Gilt pendulum bob visible through an aperture beneath the dial.

Research qualifications

  • Movement details, bell strike, and maker stamps are reported by the auctioneer and not visible in the photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

A french brass cartel clock | Woolley and Wallis

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 843872c9f6

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other cartel clock records