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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Shelf clock

Marquetry Inlaid Shelf Clock by Samuel Marti & Cie, Signed Planchon à Paris

Partially verified

This late 19th-century French shelf clock features a wood-veneered case with an arched cresting described as a policeman's hat shape and marquetry floral basket and foliage motifs. The round white enameled dial displays Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for five-minute divisions under convex glass, signed 'Planchon A PARIS'. The seller notes that the movement is non-striking and bears two stamped markings on the reverse: 'Planchon Paris' and 'Médaille d'argent 1889 / Marti Samuel et compagnie'. Measuring approximately 43 by 30.5 by 18.5 cm, the case is trimmed with brass bordering around the dial and lower marquetry panel.

Frontal view of the French marquetry shelf clock with dial signed Planchon à Paris
Frontal view of the French marquetry shelf clock with dial signed Planchon à Paris — Chairish / AntiqueClocksDepot. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.chairish.com
Category
Clock · Shelf clock
Maker / attribution
Samuel Marti & Cie / Planchon à Paris
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
31105099
Source-reported date
circa 1889
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 Marquetry

The clock features a wood-veneered case with an arched top described by the source as a 'policeman's hat' shape. The structure includes a pendulum bollard decorated with inlaid floral baskets and foliage scrolls within frames.

Condition reports describe wear to the body, including small tears to the marquetry on a foot and at the bottom of a side face.

Evidence for this section
  • “Top of the clock in the shape of a policeman's hat.”
  • “Pendulum bollard in wood veneer decorated with flower baskets and foliage scrolls treated in marquetry in the frames.”
  • “small tears to the marquetry on a foot and at the bottom of a side face”

Dial and Timekeeping

The clock is equipped with a round white enameled dial featuring Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for five-minute intervals. The dial is protected by a convex glass door and signed 'Planchon à Paris.'

The mechanism is described as non-striking. Noted condition issues include enamel chips on the dial near the numeral XII and the numeral 50.

Evidence for this section
  • “The round white enameled dial marked “Planchon à Paris” indicates the hours in Roman numerals and the minutes in Arabic numerals and is covered with thin convex glass.”
  • “No strike”
  • “A chip of enamel on the dial around the adjusting hole on the number XII and on the number 50”

Movement and Attribution

The movement bears two stamps on the reverse: 'Planchon Paris' and 'Médaille d'argent 1889 / Marti Samuel et compagnie.' These markings associate the production with Samuel Marti & Cie.

The source dates the item to circa 1889. The seller notes that the pendulum is likely a replacement and advises that the clock is sold for decorative use without performance guarantees.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stamped twice on the back of the movement "Planchon Paris" for one, and "Médaille d'argent 1889 / Marti Samuel et compagnie" for the other.”
  • “Date of production: circa 1889”
  • “Most likely the pendulum was replaced sometime”

Open research questions

  • What specific award or exhibition does the 'Médaille d'argent 1889' mark refer to in the context of Samuel Marti et Cie?
  • Does the 'Planchon à Paris' signature denote the retailer or an horological manufacturer associated with the movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Marquetry Inlaid Shelf Clock by Samuel Marti & Cie, Signed Planchon à Paris
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial SignaturePlanchon à Paris“The round white enameled dial marked “Planchon à Paris” indicates the hours in Roman numerals”
Movement StampsPlanchon Paris / Médaille d'argent 1889 / Marti Samuel et compagnie“Stamped twice on the back of the movement "Planchon Paris" for one, and "Médaille d'argent 1889 / Marti Samuel et compagnie" for the other.”
Striking FunctionNo strike“No strike”
Production Datecirca 1889“Date of production: circa 1889”
Dimensions43 x 30.5 x 18.5 cm“Dimensions (cm): 43x30.5x18.5”
Dial Diameter18.5 cm“Dial diameter (cm): 18.5”
WeightApprox. 4300 grams“Clock weight with movement: about 4300 gr”

Visible details

  • Arched policeman's hat cresting on a shaped wood-veneered case.
  • Lower central marquetry inlay depicting an urn with foliate scrolls and flowers.
  • White enameled dial with Roman hour numerals, Arabic five-minute numerals, and pierced gilt hands.
  • Dial signed 'Planchon / A PARIS' with an adjustment or winding aperture above Roman numeral XII.
  • Gilt brass bezel framing the glass door and matching border outlining the lower marquetry inlay.

Research qualifications

  • The seller notes enamel chips on the dial near XII and 50, small tears to the marquetry on a foot and side, and a likely replaced pendulum.
  • Chairish sells the clock solely for decorative display without functional or timekeeping guarantees.

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

Consulted source

1889 Marquetry Inlaid Antique Mechanical French Shelf Clock by Samuel Marti & Cie Signed Planchon À Paris | Chairish

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 0db33ac3cf

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

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