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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Wall cartel clock

Regnault Louis XV Gilt Bronze Wall Cartel Clock, Hour and Half-Hour Repeating

Partially verified

This mid-18th-century wall cartel clock is signed by Regnault and manufactured in France. The case is composed of gilt bronze and features chased decoration consisting of asymmetrical rocailles, scrolls, and clouds. Two winged cherubs are positioned below the dial, flanking an aperture that provides a view of the pendulum. The top of the case is surmounted by a figure of a young lady holding a colombe. The clock features a white dial with Roman numerals and Arabic five-minute intervals. Internally, the clock is equipped with a rectangular gilt brass movement with canted lower corners, a large going barrel for the going and striking trains, and an anchor escapement with a spring suspension and bob pendulum. The mechanism strikes the hours on a bell and includes a pull-wind quarter repeating function. The clock measures 380 mm in length and 750 mm in height.

Gilt bronze wall cartel clock, signed Regnault, mid-18th century.
Gilt bronze wall cartel clock, signed Regnault, mid-18th century. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Clock · Wall cartel clock
Maker / attribution
Regnault
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
277
Source-reported date
Mid-18th Century
Source-reported place
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 and Dial Construction

The chasing on the bronze depicts rocailles, scrolls, and stylized clouds. The top portion of the case is finished with a figural element of a young lady holding a colombe.

Below the main dial, two winged cherubs are integrated into the bronze casting. These figures flank an aperture that exposes the internal pendulum. The dial features Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the five-minute increments, with the maker's signature located on the face.

Evidence for this section
  • “finely chased with asymmetrical rocailles, scrolls and clouds”
  • “two winged cherubs below the dial flanking and aperture for viewing the pendulum”
  • “surmounted by the figure of a young lady holding a colombe”

Movement and Repeating Mechanism

The internal mechanism is a rectangular gilt brass movement featuring canted lower corners. The power is supplied by a large going barrel which drives both the going and striking trains. Regulation is achieved through an anchor escapement combined with a spring suspension and a bob pendulum.

Functionally, the clock performs an hour strike on an internal bell. Additionally, the clock is equipped with a pull-wind quarter repeating complication, allowing the user to actuate the striking sequence as required.

Evidence for this section
  • “rectangular gilt brass with canted lower corners”
  • “large going barrel driving the going and striking”
  • “anchor escapement, spring suspension and bob pendulum”
  • “striking the hours on a bell and pull-wind quarter repeating”

Condition Report

The case is noted as being in 'Good' condition, while the movement and dial are similarly categorized.

Specific surface observations include evidence of oxidation on both the dial and the movement. The movement also exhibits light scratches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: 3 Good”
  • “Movement: 3-6-8* Good Slightly oxidized Slightly scratched”
  • “Dial: 3-6-01 Good Slightly oxidized”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What is the identity of the bird held by the figure at the top of the clock?
  • Does the serial or movement number exist internally to further refine the dating within the mid-18th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Regnault Louis XV Gilt Bronze Wall Cartel Clock, Hour and Half-Hour Repeating
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRegnault“Regnault, France”
MaterialGilt bronze“GILT BRONZE”
Movement dimensionsRectangular with canted corners“rectangular gilt brass with canted lower corners”
EscapementAnchor“anchor escapement”
Repeating functionPull-wind quarter repeating“pull-wind quarter repeating”
Height750 mm“Height 750”
Signature locationDial and movement“Signature Dial and movement”

Visible details

  • White enamel-style dial with Roman numerals
  • Gilt bronze case with rocailles and cloud motifs
  • Two winged cherub figures flanking the pendulum aperture
  • Figure of a woman with a bird at the crest

Research qualifications

  • Oxidation reported on both the movement and the dial
  • Overhaul recommended by the auction description
  • General light scratching reported on the movement

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

Consulted source

REGNAULT, FRANCE, ''LOUIS XV'' WALL CARTEL CLOCK, HOUR AND HALF-HOUR REPEATING, GILT BRONZE

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record e27aff7f8b

Terms in this record

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