1930s French Colonial Infantry Cartel Clock

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1930s French Colonial Infantry Cartel Clock

About the Item

French Colonial Infantry Cartel clock, bronze with two-tone patina, the dial signed Auguste Million, Paris, 1931. Designed in the shape of a badge, the clock dial is transected by an anchor suspending the Cross of the Legion of Honour and flanked by two caryatids, each lifting an insignia with the initials ‘RF’ surmounted by a Lictor’s fasces symbolizing the French Senate; four anchors with exploding grenades stud the background. Dial with day, date and lunar phases, signed and dated ‘Auguste Million, Paris, 1931’. The hour and minute hands in engraved brass and finely cut in the shape of a battle-axe and sword respectively; the second hand in blued steel in the shape of an arrow; the calendar hand in brass with blued arrowhead indicating the 31 days of the month; the weekday hand in brass with blued crescent head. The movement was specially adapted from a Paris éBauche for wall clocks thus: Quarter-strike on two gongs situated at the rear. Motion work was completed to add indications of Moonphase, calendar and week calendar. A specially made vertical platform escapement with four beats a second (instead of the usual five) is fitted, allowing for a centre-sweeping seconds hand and self-start when the movement is wound. These technical and visual features confirm the unique character of this Cartel clock and suggest it was a specially commissioned order. The present Cartel was most certainly made to commemorate a French Colonial infantry regiment and used to decorate the walls of an officers’ mess hall. Indeed, we find the identical cabled anchor and exploding grenade with the initials ‘RF’, for République Française, as the frontal insignia on a 1915 French Colonial infantry Adrian helmet (see the PDF documents below). The oak and laurel leaves decorating the underside of the clock dial, the elongated caryatids, each standing on a Louis XIV style pedestal, and the two-tone patina Legion of Honour Cross with the profile of Marianne wearing a Phrygian cap, are all symbols that make as much reference to the stylistic vocabulary of the decorative arts as they do to the illustrations ordinarily decorating military certificates or the menus of official banquets. On 7 July 1900, after becoming part of the Ministry of War, Les Troupes de la Marine (Marine Troops) took on the name Troupes Coloniales (Colonial Troops). These troops, whose participation in both World Wars became legendary, also took part in the Indochina Wars and the Algerian War of Independence. The Moroccan Colonial Infantry Division became the most decorated unit in the French army along with the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment whose flag bears the greatest number of battle honours in the army’s history. An example of true artistry, the skilfully eclectic décor of this clock suggests it was a special commission designed to pay tribute to these highly distinguished troops.

Creator:
Auguste Million (Clockmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 18.51 in (47 cm)Depth: 5.12 in (13 cm)
Style:
Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Gilt
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
1931
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. An absolutely unique clock, made to order, in great condition and recently overhauled in our workshop. A piece of History.
Seller Location:
Braine-le-Chateau, BE
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU212235946533