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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Cartel clock

French Louis XV Painted & Ormolu Vernis Martin Cartel Clock

Partially verified

This French cartel or bracket clock features a waisted case finished in green lacquer paint with floral sprays and garlands in the Vernis Martin taste, framed by pierced foliate rococo gilt bronze mounts and crowned with a spherical gilded finial. The circular white enamel dial features black Roman numerals for the hours, outer Arabic numerals marking five-minute intervals, pierced filigree hands, and two winding apertures. According to the seller, the wooden case encloses an eight-day brass time and strike movement that chimes the hours and half-hours on a nest of twin bells, regulated by a silk-thread-suspended pendulum.

Front view of the painted green lacquer and ormolu-mounted Louis XV cartel clock
Front view of the painted green lacquer and ormolu-mounted Louis XV cartel clock — Chairish / Bloomsbury Fine Art & Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.chairish.com
Category
Clock · Cartel clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
36745802
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1750
Country
France

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 Aesthetics

The clock is housed in a waisted wooden case finished in a green lacquer with painted floral sprays and garlands, which the seller identifies as 'Vernis Martin' technique.

The case is fitted with pierced foliate gilt bronze rococo-style mounts and is surmounted by a gilded ball finial. The sides feature painted floral decoration and elongated cut-out windows.

Evidence for this section
  • “The wooden case is decorated overall with very fine ‘Vernis Martin’ lacquer paint with floral sprays and garlands on a green background.”
  • “The waisted case is completely framed and mounted with pierced foliate gilt bronze rococo decoration and is surmounted by a large gilded ball finial.”
  • “The sides of the clock case are also decorated with painted floral decoration, with two elongated cut out windows so one can see the works in motion.”

Dial and Timekeeping

The circular white enamel dial features black Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for five-minute intervals. Time is indicated by pierced brass filigree hands. The dial includes two winding arbors for time and strike functions.

The front door is locked by a key, which is stated to be present.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel dial with black Roman and Arabic numerals, original brass filigree hands and twin winding arbors for the time and strike.”
  • “The front door locks from the side the key is present”

Movement and Mechanical

The rear door provides access to an eight-day brass time and strike movement. The mechanism is reported to strike the hours and half-hours on a nest of twin bells located in the upper portion of the case.

The pendulum is suspended by a silk thread behind the back plate. The seller states the clock is in working condition and that a winding key is included.

Evidence for this section
  • “the rear door encloses the original brass 8 day time and strike mechanism, the hours and half hours chime on a mellow sounding nest of twin bells, housed in the top of the clock case.”
  • “The brass pendulum is affixed by silk thread and hangs behind the back plate”
  • “the movement is also in good working condition.”

Open research questions

  • Are there maker's marks or signatures on the movement plates to verify the reported origin or date?
  • Can the 'Vernis Martin' classification be independently verified, as this is a decorative technique description provided by the seller?
  • What is the provenance of the 'original' condition claim for the bronze mounts?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Louis XV Painted & Ormolu Vernis Martin Cartel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Style and PeriodLouis XV, circa 1750“Louis XV period cartel or bracket clock, circa 1750”
Movement8-day time and strike“original brass 8 day time and strike mechanism”
Dial DescriptionWhite enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals“white enamel dial with black Roman and Arabic numerals”
Case DecorationGreen Vernis Martin lacquer with floral motifs“‘Vernis Martin’ lacquer paint with floral sprays and garlands on a green background”
Dimensions13ʺW × 5ʺD × 24ʺH“13ʺW × 5ʺD × 24ʺH”
Attributed DateCirca 1750“circa 1750”

Visible details

  • Waisted green case decorated with painted floral sprays and garlands
  • Gilded rococo bronze foliate framing mounts and a spherical top finial
  • White enamel dial displaying dual winding apertures and pierced gilt filigree hands

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and rear bell mechanism are not visible in the provided image
  • Attribution to circa 1750 and the Vernis Martin technique rely entirely on seller description

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

Consulted source

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Painted & Ormolu Vernis Martin Cartel Clock 1750 | Chairish

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 2727867016

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

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