A decorative wall clock which had its origin in France during the 18th century. It was essentially a clock for the boudoir or salon and was frequently a ptimepiece without a striking mechanism. French cartel clocks had circular drum movements, round dials with glazed bezels, and ornate ormolu cases. Earlier examples are rococo in style, while more balanced lyre shapes, adorned with bows and ribbons, appeared during the French neoclassical periof of Louis XVI. English cartel clocks, while following the style of the French circular dial, were usually set in carved and gilded wooden mounts or cases. They often had asymmetrical rococo designs, some in the Chinese taste, and were frankly designed as wall ornaments as well as clocks.