Clock · Portico mantel clock

French Napoleon III Portico Barley-Twist Marquetry Mantel Clock

Partially verified

This French Napoleon III style portico mantel clock is dated by the seller to circa 1880. Handcrafted from dark burled walnut with satinwood marquetry inlays, the case incorporates four spiral barley-twist ebonized columns mounted on a stepped plinth base with ormolu capitals and bases. Suspended between the portico columns is a movement enclosed in an ornate gilt foliate bezel surrounding a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, signed 'Le Roy A Paris'. Below the movement swings an elaborate cast gilt pendulum bob. According to the seller, the eight-day movement strikes on a bell every half hour and bears model number 2273 on the rear.

Frontal view of the French portico marquetry mantel clock with barley-twist columns — The Gilded Age Antiques / Chairish. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.chairish.com
Category: Clock · Portico mantel clock
Maker / attribution: Le Roy A Paris
Reference: 2273
Catalogue / lot identifier: Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date: circa 1880
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

Construction and Materials

This portico-style mantel clock features a case handcrafted from dark burled walnut with satinwood marquetry detailing. The architectural design includes four tapered, ebonized barley-twist columns.

The structure rests on a stepped plinth base and incorporates bronze ormolu mounts around the white enamel dial and the pendulum.

Evidence for this section

“handcrafted in France from dark burled walnut with with intricate satinwood marquetry detailing.”
“The marquetry case includes four tapered barley-twist ebonized columns that rest upon a stepped architectural base”
“bronze ormolu mounts surrounding the white enamel dial and bronze ormolu pendulum.”

Dial and Mechanism

The white enamel dial features black Roman numerals and is signed 'Le Roy A Paris'.

The clock is reported by the seller to have an eight-day movement that strikes on a bell every half hour. The rear of the clock is marked 'Le Roy A Paris' and '2273'.

Evidence for this section

“The dial is signed “Le Roy A Paris.””
“The eight-day movement strikes once on the bell every half hour”
“The back of the clock is marked “Le Roy A Paris” along with the model number “2273.””

Condition and Attribution

The object is described by the seller as being in gently used antique condition with light wear consistent with age. It is accompanied by the original key.

The date of circa 1880 is provided by the seller. The association with specific historic clockmakers is a commercial claim provided in the source listing.

Evidence for this section

“Comes with the original key and is in gently used antique condition, showing light wear consistent with age.”
“Late 19th Century Napoleon III Portico Barley-Twist Marquetry Mantel Clock, French, 1880.”
“The Le Roy family is well known among Parisian clockmakers, with the most notable members being Charles and Julien Le Roy.”

Open research questions

Are there records linking the serial or model number '2273' to the Le Roy workshop production?
Does the physical construction and marquetry style support the 1880 dating provided?
Are there independent authentication methods for distinguishing original 19th-century movements from later additions or modifications?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Napoleon III Portico Barley-Twist Marquetry Mantel Clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Dial Signature	Le Roy A Paris	“The dial is signed “Le Roy A Paris.””
Model Number Marking	2273	“The back of the clock is marked “Le Roy A Paris” along with the model number “2273.””
Materials	Dark burled walnut, satinwood marquetry, and bronze ormolu	“handcrafted in France from dark burled walnut with with intricate satinwood marquetry detailing.”
Movement Duration & Striking	8-day movement striking every half hour	“The eight-day movement strikes once on the bell every half hour and is in working condition.”
Case Architecture	Four barley-twist ebonized columns	“The marquetry case includes four tapered barley-twist ebonized columns that rest upon a stepped architectural base”
Dimensions	9" D x 6" W x 18" H	“Dimensions: 9" (L) x 6" (W) x 18" (H)”

Visible details

Four ebonized barley-twist spiral columns framing the suspended movement and pendulum.
White enamel dial displaying black Roman numerals and twin winding arbors.
Ornate gilt foliate bezel surrounding the movement housing and matching decorative pendulum bob.
Intricate foliate marquetry inlay on the pediment, entablature, base platform, and plinth front.

Research qualifications

Movement operation, bell striking, and internal marks are unverified seller claims not visible in the photo.
Association with the historic Parisian Le Roy horological workshops is an unverified commercial attribution.

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

Consulted source

Late 19th Century Portico Barley-Twist Marquetry Mantel Clock, French, Ca. 1880 | Chairish

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 9193b37fb7

Terms in this record

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