Clock Napoleon III Wood, Ceramic - 1850-1900 - Bull's Eye






Master marquetry craftswoman with 4 years' expert experience. Trainee auctioneer at Sotheby's Paris.
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A Napoleonic III antique wall clock from France with a rounded Ojo de Buey case, crafted in wood and ceramic, featuring a quartz movement, hour strike on quarters with multiple bells and gongs, measuring 62 cm high by 46 cm wide by 15 cm deep and weighing 1 kg, dating to 1850–1900 and in good used condition.
Description from the seller
It is a clock that preserves all the decorative presence of the 19th century, very close to the models known as Bull's Eye, with that rounded, enveloping structure that frames the dial like a classic window. The front marquetry, worked with vegetal motifs and soft curves, keeps intact the artisanal character of the era: warm wood, carved and assembled with that taste for detail that defined domestic clockmaking in the nineteenth century.
The original 19th-century dial remains the soul of the piece. The Roman numerals on oval plates, the gilded surround, and the stylized hands preserve the historic aesthetic, that mix of sobriety and elegance that made these clocks objects both functional and ornamental. The light background, slightly patinated by time, reinforces the authenticity of the whole.
During the refurbishment in the 20th century, the original mechanism was replaced by a quartz system, a common intervention to ensure precision and everyday use without renouncing the old image. This update, discreet and respectful, allows the clock to operate reliably while keeping its aesthetic identity intact.
The result is a hybrid piece in the best sense: historical appearance, modern operation, and a decorative presence that remains as attractive as in its origin. A clock that combines memory, craftsmanship, and utility, perfect for those who appreciate the beauty of the past without renouncing the convenience of the present.
Certified shipping and good packaging.
Seller's Story
It is a clock that preserves all the decorative presence of the 19th century, very close to the models known as Bull's Eye, with that rounded, enveloping structure that frames the dial like a classic window. The front marquetry, worked with vegetal motifs and soft curves, keeps intact the artisanal character of the era: warm wood, carved and assembled with that taste for detail that defined domestic clockmaking in the nineteenth century.
The original 19th-century dial remains the soul of the piece. The Roman numerals on oval plates, the gilded surround, and the stylized hands preserve the historic aesthetic, that mix of sobriety and elegance that made these clocks objects both functional and ornamental. The light background, slightly patinated by time, reinforces the authenticity of the whole.
During the refurbishment in the 20th century, the original mechanism was replaced by a quartz system, a common intervention to ensure precision and everyday use without renouncing the old image. This update, discreet and respectful, allows the clock to operate reliably while keeping its aesthetic identity intact.
The result is a hybrid piece in the best sense: historical appearance, modern operation, and a decorative presence that remains as attractive as in its origin. A clock that combines memory, craftsmanship, and utility, perfect for those who appreciate the beauty of the past without renouncing the convenience of the present.
Certified shipping and good packaging.
