What is a Boulle clock?

Boulle clocks are named after Andre-Charles Boulle, a master cabinetmaker to King Louis XIV of France, known for pioneering marquetry using cut brass and tortoiseshell inlaid into veneered wooden cases.

What materials are traditionally used to make Boulle wall clocks?

These timepieces traditionally feature brass and cut tortoiseshell marquetry, ornamented with cast gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts, individual white enamel numeral cartouches, and internal brass clockwork movements.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century French Boulle clocks?

Authentic 19th-century examples display brass inlays set into tortoiseshell backings, cast and chased ormolu mounts with hand-detailed chasing, separate enamel dial cartouches, and stamped maker marks on the movement plates.

How do you style a Rococo Boulle clock in a modern interior?

Mount the clock on a prominent wall above a fireplace, console table, or within an entryway, allowing the gilt detailing and rich red tortoise tones to create a focal point against neutral or dark wall finishes.

How should an antique Boulle wall clock be maintained?

Dust the exterior gently with a dry microfibre cloth, avoid placing the object near direct heat sources or high humidity to prevent inlay movement, and have the internal mechanism serviced by a qualified horologist.

for sale €5,265 $5,715

£4,500

Andrew Lovatt Antiques

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Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870

Name: Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1227576
Price: 4500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Andrew Lovatt Antiques

Description

An exceptional and imposing late 19th-century French Louis XV Revival bracket clock and bracket, of elegant serpentine form, veneered in rich red faux tortoiseshell and lavishly mounted with finely chased ormolu. The three-part case is crowned by a beautifully modelled gilt cherub holding a bird, while the pierced lower section displays scrolling Rococo ornament centred by a radiant mask.

The elaborate gilt brass dial is fitted with applied white enamel cartouche Roman hour numerals and an outer Arabic minute ring, complemented by finely pierced steel hands. The eight-day movement, stamped Vincenti to the backplate, strikes the hours and half-hours on a gong.

This impressive clock is complete with its original matching wall bracket.

Height

90cm (35.43")

Width

42cm (16.54")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Andrew Lovatt Antiques has dated this piece, with reference #SA698583, to the 1870 period.

Vincenti & Cie was a 19th-century French clockmaker, best known for producing high-quality clock movements and later complete clocks that are now highly collectible.

Jean Vincenti (born in Corsica, 1786) founded the firm in 1823 in Montbéliard, France, building much of his own machinery for producing clock components.

Vincenti & Cie earned multiple medals at major French industrial expositions:

1834 – Silver Medal The company won a silver medal at the Paris Exposition

1839, 1844, 1849 – Additional awards

1855 – Gold Medal

1867 – Further recognition

These awards cemented Vincenti’s reputation for precision engineering and reliable movements.

Vincenti clocks are known for:

Empire, Rococo, and Art Nouveau styles

Gilt bronze (ormolu), marble, onyx, and tortoiseshell cases

Finely cast figurines and decorative motifs

High-quality round brass movements

Vincenti & Cie continued producing clocks until 1923, leaving behind a large body of collectible mantel clocks, carriage clocks, and movements. Today, Vincenti clocks are prized by collectors for their mechanical reliability, aesthetic quality, and historical significance.

Physical Dimensions

Height

90cm (35.43")

Width

42cm (16.54")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Declaration

Andrew Lovatt Antiques has dated this Antique Boulle Wall Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1227576

Dealers Notes

https://lapada.org/dealers/andrew-lovatt-antiques/

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information regarding your enquiry.

All items are guaranteed authentic , detailed descriptions will be provided upon receipt of purchase.

Thank you for viewing my items.

Description

“

The three-part case is crowned by a beautifully modelled gilt cherub holding a bird, while the pierced lower section displays scrolling Rococo ornament centred by a radiant mask.

Andrew Lovatt Antiques

fig 1. An antique French Rococo revival Boulle wall clock featuring a red tortoiseshell case adorned with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, a figure finial, and an enamel cartouche dial on a matching wall bracket. — fig 1. Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870

The elaborate gilt brass dial is fitted with applied white enamel cartouche Roman hour numerals and an outer Arabic minute ring, complemented by finely pierced steel hands. The eight-day movement, stamped Vincenti to the backplate, strikes the hours and half-hours on a gong.

fig 2. An antique French Rococo revival Boulle wall clock featuring a red tortoiseshell case adorned with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, a figure finial, and an enamel cartouche dial on a matching wall bracket. — fig 2. Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870

This impressive clock is complete with its original matching wall bracket.

Height

90cm (35.43")

Width

42cm (16.54")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Andrew Lovatt Antiques has dated this piece, with reference #SA698583, to the 1870 period.

fig 3. An antique French Rococo revival Boulle wall clock featuring a red tortoiseshell case adorned with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, a figure finial, and an enamel cartouche dial on a matching wall bracket. — fig 3. Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870

Vincenti & Cie was a 19th-century French clockmaker, best known for producing high-quality clock movements and later complete clocks that are now highly collectible.

Jean Vincenti (born in Corsica, 1786) founded the firm in 1823 in Montbéliard, France, building much of his own machinery for producing clock components.

fig 4. An antique French Rococo revival Boulle wall clock featuring a red tortoiseshell case adorned with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, a figure finial, and an enamel cartouche dial on a matching wall bracket. — fig 4. Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870

Vincenti & Cie earned multiple medals at major French industrial expositions:

1834 – Silver Medal The company won a silver medal at the Paris Exposition

1839, 1844, 1849 – Additional awards

1855 – Gold Medal

fig 5. An antique French Rococo revival Boulle wall clock featuring a red tortoiseshell case adorned with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, a figure finial, and an enamel cartouche dial on a matching wall bracket. — fig 5. Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870

1867 – Further recognition

These awards cemented Vincenti’s reputation for precision engineering and reliable movements.

Vincenti clocks are known for:

Empire, Rococo, and Art Nouveau styles

Gilt bronze (ormolu), marble, onyx, and tortoiseshell cases

fig 6. An antique French Rococo revival Boulle wall clock featuring a red tortoiseshell case adorned with elaborate gilt bronze mounts, a figure finial, and an enamel cartouche dial on a matching wall bracket. — fig 6. Exceptional French Louis Xv Revival Ormolu & Faux Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Vincenti & Cie with Original Wall Bracket, Circa 1870

Finely cast figurines and decorative motifs

High-quality round brass movements

Vincenti & Cie continued producing clocks until 1923, leaving behind a large body of collectible mantel clocks, carriage clocks, and movements. Today, Vincenti clocks are prized by collectors for their mechanical reliability, aesthetic quality, and historical significance.

Physical Dimensions

Height

90cm (35.43")

Width

42cm (16.54")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Date of Manufacture

Andrew Lovatt Antiques has dated this Antique Boulle Wall Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1227576