Clock · Bracket clock

French 'Boulle' marquetry bracket clock

Partially verified

Reported to date to the second half of the 19th century, this French Boulle marquetry bracket clock features a waisted case with foliate gilt mounts and is surmounted by a sculpted cherub blowing a trumpet. Its hinged glazed door reveals a relief-cast gilt-metal dial decorated with foliage, flowering urns, and a portrait bust, inset with enamel Roman numeral hour cartouches and Arabic minute cartouches. According to the auction catalogue, it is fitted with a twin-train movement signed 'H & F / Paris / 3041' with a matching stamped pendulum 'CH 3041', and is accompanied by a conforming wall bracket.

Front view of the French Boulle marquetry clock on its conforming bracket — John Moran Auctioneers. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bidsquare.com
Category: Clock · Bracket clock
Maker / attribution: H & F
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 1117
Source-reported date: Second half 19th century
Source-reported place: France
Source-reported serial: 3041

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 and Bracket Construction

The clock is housed in a waisted case featuring Boulle-style marquetry and foliate mounts. It is surmounted by a figure of a cherub blowing a trumpet. The clock includes a conforming bracket decorated with marquetry.

Condition report notes include general marks, scratches, and wear. There is evidence of lifting to the brass overlay and a 2'' x 1.5'' repaired area to the front of the bracket with visible glue residue.

Evidence for this section

“waisted case with foliate mounts and surmounted by a figure of a cherub blowing a trumpet”
“with a conforming bracket”
“General marks, scratches and wear commensurate with age and use. A few areas of lifting to brass overlay. A 2'' x 1.5'' repaired area to front of bracket with visible glue residue.”

Dial and Visual Features

A hinged glazed door provides access to the gilt metal dial, which is relief-cast with foliage, flowering urns, and a portrait bust.

The dial features white enamel cartouches with black Roman numeral hours, surrounded by additional cartouches displaying Arabic numerals for minutes. Minor rubbed wear to the hour numerals is noted.

Evidence for this section

“the hinged glazed door enclosing a gilt metal dial relief-cast with foliage, flowering urns and a portrait bust”
“inset with white enamel cartouches with black Roman numeral hours encircled by further cartouches with Arabic minutes”
“Minor rubbed wear to hour numerals.”

Mechanism and Technical Data

The clock contains a twin-train movement signed 'H & F / Paris / 3041'. The pendulum is marked with the stamp 'CH 3041'.

The movement is described as appearing complete, though its working condition is unknown and not guaranteed by the auction house.

Evidence for this section

“attached to a twin train movement signed ''H & F / Paris / 3041''”
“with pendulum stamped ''CH 3041''”
“Movement appears complete. Working condition unknown. Moran's does not guarantee working condition of clocks and watches.”

Open research questions

What is the full identity of the maker 'H & F' referenced in the movement signature?
Does the 'CH' prefix on the pendulum stamp indicate a specific maker or assembly origin?
What are the specific materials used for the 'Boulle' marquetry overlay?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French 'Boulle' marquetry bracket clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Date of production	Second half 19th century	“Second half 19th century”
Movement signature	H & F / Paris / 3041	“twin train movement signed ''H & F / Paris / 3041''”
Pendulum stamp	CH 3041	“with pendulum stamped ''CH 3041''”
Overall dimensions	37.5'' H x 16'' W x 8'' D	“overall 37.5'' H x 16'' W x 8'' D”
Clock height excluding bracket	29.5'' H	“excluding bracket 29.5'' H”
Height (clock only)	29.5 inches	“excluding bracket 29.5'' H”

Visible details

Waisted Boulle marquetry clock case surmounted by a standing cherub figure holding a trumpet.
Circular dial with individual white enamel hour cartouches set in an ornate gilt-metal mount.
Conforming tapered bracket decorated with scrolling marquetry and a lower gilt foliate terminal.
Small key visible inserted into the right-hand case latch.

Research qualifications

Internal movement condition, back door, and stamped marks are not visible in the provided photograph.
Working condition is unverified; the auctioneer explicitly noted that functional working condition was not guaranteed.

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