When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
French Napoleon III Style Boulle Marquetry Gilt-Metal Mantel Clock, Circa 1970s
Period: Mid-to-Late 20th Century, circa 1970s
Origin: France
Style: Napoleon III / Louis XV Revival, Boulle Style
Materials: Faux tortoiseshell and brass-inlaid Boulle-style veneer, cast gilt metal, white enamel numeral cartouches
Measurements:
Height: 23 in. / 58.4 cm
Width: 12.5 in. / 31.8 cm
Depth: 6 in. / 15.2 cm
Provenance: Private vintage French mantel clock dating to the 1970s, designed in the grand Napoleon III Boulle style with strong Louis XV Revival influence.
The clock features an elegant waisted case finished in glossy red-ground faux tortoiseshell, richly decorated with scrolling brass foliate inlay inspired by traditional French Boulle marquetry. Its sculptural silhouette and elaborate ornamentation give the piece a commanding decorative presence.
The dial is centered by an ornate gilt-brass openwork face fitted with twelve individual white enamel cartouches displaying black Roman numerals. The case is further embellished with elaborate gilt-metal mounts, including scrolling acanthus decoration, a classical mask above the dial, pierced rocaille aprons, and foliate bracket feet.
Standing 23 inches high, this substantial clock would make a striking addition to a mantel, console, library, formal living room, or traditional European-inspired interior.
Condition:
Very good vintage condition with a stable and well-preserved case. The faux tortoiseshell and brass-inlaid surfaces present beautifully with only minor age-appropriate surface wear. The gilt-metal mounts retain an attractive golden finish, and the enamel numeral cartouches are well preserved with no significant chips or cracks noted.
The mechanical movement appears visually complete; however, it has not been tested for operation. Timekeeping accuracy, mechanical functionality, and the presence of a winding key are not guaranteed.
