French Wall Cartel Clock With Console – Signed “denière à Paris”, No. 1079

This magnificent wall clock, complete with its original console, perfectly embodies the opulence of the Louis XV style as reinterpreted during the Second Empire. Crafted in the tradition of the great cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle, the piece is signed by the prestigious Parisian maker Denière, one of the most renowned bronze artists and clockmakers of the 19th century. The case, in ebonized wood with brass inlays on an ebony ground, is lavishly adorned with finely chased and mercury-gilded bronze mounts. The exquisite Boulle-style marquetry features intricate scrolls, symmetrical arabesques, and delicate floral motifs. The gilt bronze ornamentation is rich and sculptural: garlands, acanthus leaves, blooming flowers, and Rocaille shells animate the entire surface. Particularly striking are the large flower bouquets flanking the enamel dial, featuring finely modelled roses, poppies, and foliage. The lower section of the cartel displays a bold Rocaille shell with volutes and a Neptune mask – a decorative motif emblematic of the Louis XV repertoire. The matching console is richly decorated with similar elements, ending in a floral drop that accentuates the verticality of the composition. The circular white enamel dial shows Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes on an outer ring. It is topped by an elaborate crest with palmettes and acanthus scrolls. The clock features a silk-thread suspension movement, with its original lenticular pendulum and winding key. The movement is signed on the back: “Bté / Denière / à Paris / 1079”, a mark of authenticity and top-quality Parisian craftsmanship. The striking mechanism includes a silvered bell and a hammer that chimes on the hour and on demand.