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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Wall clock

Wall clock (pendule en cartel)

Partially verified

This wall clock, or pendule en cartel, is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art under accession number 1971.206.27. Dated to circa 1740–45, the piece is attributed to the maker Jean Godde l'aîné, who lived from approximately 1668 to 1748/49. The clock exhibits an elaborate construction, featuring a case composed of gilded bronze, oak, and tortoiseshell on brass marquetry. The dial is crafted from white enamel and gilded brass, complemented by blued-steel hands. The movement is constructed from brass and steel. Measuring 52 1/2 inches in height, 24 1/2 inches in width, and 15 1/2 inches in depth, the clock incorporates decorative motifs described by the museum as including flowers and angels.

Full view of the wall clock (pendule en cartel) attributed to Jean Godde l'aîné, featuring gilded bronze, tortoiseshell, and enamel dial.
Full view of the wall clock (pendule en cartel) attributed to Jean Godde l'aîné, featuring gilded bronze, tortoiseshell, and enamel dial. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Clock · Wall clock
Maker / attribution
Jean Godde l'aîné
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1971.206.27
Source-reported date
ca. 1740–45
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 Decorative Construction

The case of the clock is a complex assembly of materials including gilded bronze, oak, and tortoiseshell. The bronze elements feature sculptural details that include figures identified by the museum as angels and floral motifs that extend across the frame.

The dimensions of the object are significant, with an overall height of 52 1/2 inches, a width of 24 1/2 inches, and a depth of 15 1/2 inches. This large-scale wall clock, classified as a pendule en cartel, is mounted to function as a wall-hanging unit.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: gilded bronze, oak, and tortoiseshell on brass marquetry on oak”
  • “Subject tags assigned by the museum: Flowers, Angels.”
  • “Overall: 52 1/2 × 24 1/2 × 15 1/2 in. (133.4 × 62.2 × 39.4 cm)”

Dial and Movement

The timepiece utilizes a white enamel dial, which serves as the primary interface for timekeeping. This dial is decorated with gilded brass elements and is accompanied by blued-steel hands, which provide a contrast against the white enamel surface.

The internal mechanism is described as being made of brass and steel. The movement is housed within the central structure of the case, supporting the timekeeping function of the clock. While the specific mechanical configuration is not detailed, the museum identifies the materials as standard brass and steel components consistent with this category of horological instrument.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: white enamel and gilded brass with blued-steel hands”
  • “Movement: brass and steel”

Attribution and Institutional Provenance

This object is part of the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and is assigned the accession number 1971.206.27. It is attributed to the maker Jean Godde l'aîné, who was active in France during the early to mid-eighteenth century. The museum’s department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts maintains the record for this piece.

The dating of the clock is established as circa 1740–45. The museum record serves as the primary source for these identification details. Ongoing research is encouraged to verify the wider collectible type and specific attribution through specialist references, as the current information is based on internal museum documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “The museum dates it ca. 1740–45. It is attributed to Jean Godde l'aîné (French, ca. 1668–1748/49).”
  • “Museum object number 1971.206.27”
  • “Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and date against a specialist reference.”

Open research questions

  • Are there archival records linking this specific clock to Jean Godde l'aîné beyond stylistic attribution?
  • Does the marquetry work share specific signatures or patterns with other known pieces by Jean Godde l'aîné?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Wall clock (pendule en cartel)
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJean Godde l'aîné“It is attributed to Jean Godde l'aîné”
Dateca. 1740–45“ca. 1740–45”
Accession Number1971.206.27“1971.206.27”
Case MaterialsGilded bronze, oak, tortoiseshell, brass“Case: gilded bronze, oak, and tortoiseshell on brass marquetry on oak”
Dial MaterialsWhite enamel, gilded brass, blued-steel“Dial: white enamel and gilded brass with blued-steel hands”
Dimensions52 1/2 × 24 1/2 × 15 1/2 in.“Overall: 52 1/2 × 24 1/2 × 15 1/2 in. (133.4 × 62.2 × 39.4 cm)”
Subject TagsFlowers, Angels“Subject tags assigned by the museum: Flowers, Angels.”

Visible details

  • Gilded bronze case with floral and sculptural angel motifs
  • Circular white enamel dial with Roman numeral indices
  • Blued-steel hands visible on the face
  • Ornate asymmetrical bronze ornament surrounding the central dial

Research qualifications

  • Attribution to Jean Godde l'aîné is a suggestion rather than a confirmed fact
  • The extent to which this specific object represents a wider collectible type has not been verified

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

Consulted source

Wall clock (pendule en cartel), ca. 1740–45

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record fc85755273

Terms in this record

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

Other wall clock records