224 - Carriage clock. France, early 20th century.

Carriage clock. France, early 20th century. Brass and beveled glass. Mechanical movement. Dial with Roman numerals. The dial has some damage, and the glass and back bezel are missing. Measurements: 10 × 8 × 6.5 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. The glass-covered case and folding handle identify this piece as a typical French travel clock, a style that was widely developed during the second half of the 19th century and remained in production around 1900. Its compact structure, designed for easy transport, combines a brass frame with beveled glass panels that allow a partial view of the movement. The design reflects the typical simplicity of these clocks: a molded base and cornice, straight sides, and a white dial with large black Roman numerals. The transparency of the sides and the top cover visually lightens the case and highlights the mechanical nature of the object, a distinctive feature of French carriage clocks.