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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

Giteau Palais Royal repeating carriage clock

Partially verified

This 19th-century French brass carriage clock is attributed to Giteau, Palais Royal, Paris. The gilt-brass case features classical architectural styling with Corinthian-style corner columns and extensive polychrome champlevé enamel scrollwork across the front mask, columns, base frieze, cornice, and handle mounts. The white circular dial displays stylized Arabic numerals, pierced hands, and an inscription reading "Giteau Elève de Breguet". The seller reports a striking and repeating movement featuring a circular blued steel gong, curved hammer, fast/slow regulation indicator, and a rear movement plate stamped "Giteau Palais Royal" beneath the engraved number 140.

Front view of the Giteau carriage clock with champlevé enamel decoration
Front view of the Giteau carriage clock with champlevé enamel decoration — Bushells Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
Giteau
Reference
1838504
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
19th century
Country
France
Source-reported serial
140

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 Architecture and Champlevé Ornamentation

The clock is housed in an architectural brass case measuring 21 cm in height with the handle included, 10 cm in width, and 9 cm in depth, with a seller-stated weight of approximately 2,400 grams. Visual examination reveals fluted Corinthian-style corner columns ornamented with champlevé enamel scrollwork, echoed across the upper frieze, plinth band, and the front dial mask. A shaped carrying handle features scrolled terminals highlighted with light blue champlevé enamel, positioned above a top plate displaying a central repeat push-button.

According to the seller's description, the case is solid brass and retains a hinged glass rear door. The seller also reports that the side panels are decorated with blue and red champlevé enamel scrollwork.

Evidence for this section
  • “Corinthian-style fluted corner columns decorated with champlevé enamel scrollwork”
  • “Front mask, upper frieze, and plinth band filled with elaborate blue, red, and polychrome champlevé enamel foliage”
  • “Carrying handle with scrolled terminals accented in light blue champlevé enamel”
  • “Central repeat push-button visible on the top plate behind the handle”
  • “Height (including handle): 21 cm”
  • “Width: 10 cm”
  • “Depth: 9 cm”
  • “The side panels are richly decorated with blue and red champlevé enamel scrollwork”
  • “The solid brass case retains its original hinged glass rear door”

Dial Inscriptions and Indications

Direct observation shows a circular white dial set within the polychrome enameled front mask. The dial displays stylized Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and pierced decorative hands.

An inscription reading 'GITEAU ÉLÈVE DE BREGUET' is printed in an arc directly below the 12 o'clock position. The source listing attributes the clock to Giteau of the Palais Royal, Paris.

Evidence for this section
  • “Circular white dial with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, and pierced hands”
  • “Dial signed in an arc beneath 12: 'GITEAU ÉLÈVE DE BREGUET'”
  • “featuring a striking and repeating movement by Giteau , working in the prestigious Palais Royal, Paris .”

Source-Reported Movement and Striking Features

The movement interior is not visible in the front photograph, but the seller reports a striking and repeating mechanism. The rear movement plate is stated to be stamped 'Giteau Palais Royal' beneath the engraved number 140.

The listing further describes a circular blued steel gong mounted to the lower central section by a single bracket with two flathead screws, paired with a curved steel hammer arm and two brass winding arbors fitted with click wheels. Regulation is reported via an upper pointer set between engraved 'S' and 'F' markers, positioned next to three vertically aligned circular apertures.

Evidence for this section
  • “The rear movement plate is stamped “Giteau Palais Royal” beneath the engraved number 140”
  • “The movement is fitted with a circular blued steel gong , wrapped around the lower central section and secured by a single metal bracket with two flathead screws.”
  • “Two brass winding arbors with click wheels are positioned within the lower loop of the gong, while a curved steel hammer arm sits above”
  • “The upper section of the movement features a fast and slow regulation pointer, flanked by engraved “S” and “F” indicators, alongside three vertically aligned circular apertures.”

Open research questions

  • What style and configuration of platform escapement (such as lever or cylinder) is fitted behind the top plate?
  • Do historical records for Giteau at the Palais Royal establish whether the stamped number 140 represents a sequential production number or a movement blank caliber number?
  • Does the striking train operate as an hourly/half-hourly rack strike or does it incorporate a sonnerie selection?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Giteau Palais Royal repeating carriage clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker's markGiteau Palais Royal beneath 140“The rear movement plate is stamped “Giteau Palais Royal” beneath the engraved number 140”
Enamel decorationBlue and red champlevé enamel scrollwork“The side panels are richly decorated with blue and red champlevé enamel scrollwork”
Height21 cm (including handle)“Height (including handle): 21 cm”
WeightApproximately 2,400 grams“Weight: Approximately 2,400 grams”
Width10 cm“Width: 10 cm”
Depth9 cm“Depth: 9 cm”
Rear door constructionReported hinged glass door“retains its original hinged glass rear door”

Visible details

  • Corinthian-style fluted corner columns decorated with champlevé enamel scrollwork
  • Carrying handle with scrolled terminals accented in light blue champlevé enamel
  • Circular white dial with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, and pierced hands
  • Dial signed in an arc beneath 12: 'GITEAU ÉLÈVE DE BREGUET'
  • Front mask, upper frieze, and plinth band filled with elaborate blue, red, and polychrome champlevé enamel foliage
  • Central repeat push-button visible on the top plate behind the handle

Research qualifications

  • Movement interior, gong, and rear plate markings are source-reported and not visible in the front photograph

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Large 19th Century French Brass Repeating Carriage Clock By

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4d49a1fc0f

Terms in this record

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

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