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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Wall clock

French Wooden Wall Clock

Partially verified

This wooden wall clock is reported by the seller as an antique French timepiece dating to circa 1910–1920. The object is built with a shaped dark wood exterior frame enclosing a glazed door. Visible through the glass is a lighter wood backboard decorated with curvilinear borders and foliate motifs, encircling a round light-colored dial. The dial features Roman numerals within decorative shields, two winding apertures, and dark pierced hands. The seller notes that the clock runs and strikes every half hour on a round gong, and is accompanied by a winding key.

Front view of the French wooden wall clock showing the shaped case and dial through the glazed door
Front view of the French wooden wall clock showing the shaped case and dial through the glazed door — Catawiki. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.catawiki.com
Category
Clock · Wall clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
106284172
Source-reported date
1910-1920
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

The clock is housed in a dark wooden frame featuring arched profiles at the top and bottom with notched corners. A glazed front door allows viewing of an interior backboard, which contrasts with the outer frame through its lighter wood composition.

This internal panel is embellished with darker curvilinear borders and foliate-style corner accents, providing a decorative frame for the circular dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dark wood outer frame with arched top and bottom profiles and notched corners”
  • “Glazed front door revealing a lighter wood panel with decorative darker borders and corner accents”

Dial and Hands

The dial consists of a light-colored circular face featuring Roman numerals housed within decorative individual shields. Time is indicated by a pair of dark, pierced hands.

Two winding arbors are situated below the central arbor.

Evidence for this section
  • “Light-colored circular dial featuring framed Roman numeral cartouches”
  • “Two winding arbors positioned below the central arbor”
  • “Pierced decorative dark hands”

Reported Mechanism and Origin

The clock is attributed to a French origin and a production date of 1910–1920 by the auction house. Seller reports indicate the timepiece is functional, incorporating a strike train that rings on a round gong every half hour.

The object is supplied with a winding key. The internal movement and striking gong were not documented in the provided images.

Evidence for this section
  • “Antique French clock”
  • “1910-1920”
  • “De klok loopt en slaat ieder half uur op een ronde gong”
  • “Sleutel is erbij”

Open research questions

  • Are there maker's marks or stamps present on the movement or case to verify the attributed origin?
  • What is the physical composition of the dial (e.g., metal, paper, or enamel)?
  • What are the specific dimensions of the clock, referred to in the source as a 'Groot model'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Wooden Wall Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case MaterialWood“Wood - 1910-1920”
Estimated Period1910-1920“1910-1920”
Reported OriginFrance“Antique French clock”
Striking MechanismStrikes every half hour on a round gong“De klok loopt en slaat ieder half uur op een ronde gong”
AccessoriesKey included“Sleutel is erbij”
Striking MechanismRound gong“slaat ieder half uur op een ronde gong”
Included AccessoriesWinding key“Sleutel is erbij”

Visible details

  • Dark wood outer frame with arched top and bottom profiles and notched corners
  • Glazed front door revealing a lighter wood panel with decorative darker borders and corner accents
  • Light-colored circular dial featuring framed Roman numeral cartouches
  • Two winding arbors positioned below the central arbor
  • Pierced decorative dark hands

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and striking gong are not visible in the primary front photograph
  • Functional condition and timekeeping accuracy rely on seller description
  • French origin and 1910–1920 date are auction catalog attributions

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

Consulted source

Wall clock - Wood - 1910-1920 - Antique French clock - auction online Catawiki

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 7ca61bcd56

Terms in this record

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

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