Ormolu Clocks
6
807
3
to
27
556
238
810
810
810
233
70
68
52
34
18
7
5
2
1
1
65
724
18
3
16
1
5
1
Height
to
Width
to
5,783
4,097
1,688
1,595
1,073
799
753
29
29
6
22
11
9
8
8
Material: Ormolu
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Henri Jacot Carriage Clock with Strike Repeat Function
Located in Amersham, GB
This superb gorge cased carriage clock is beautifully gilded, with a crisp white enamel dial and a roman chapter ring and outer arabic minutes. The eight day two train movement is regulated by a slivered English lever platform escapement, striking on a blued steel gong, with hour repeat button.
The case is numbered 10135 throughout, this coupled with the maker’s mark showing the dates of awards on the front plate, means we can date the clock to between 1878 and 1889.
The front and back plates are both marked with Jacot stamps. The front with the medal stamp listing the exposition awards Jacot had won. Bronzes in 1855 and 1862, and silver medals in 1867 and 1878. This stamp did not change until 1889 when Jacot junior won the companies first gold medal. The back plate shows the parrot trademark stamp with the initials HJ which came into use in 1878.
The back of the dial is also signed by the enameller and numbered with the serial number. This is a very thoroughly marked and numbered clock in excellent condition.
Henri Jacot...
Category
1880s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Steel, Ormolu
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in Orientalist Motif
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in "Orientalist" Motif, circa 1850, a romantic movement/Orientalist ormolu clock with ornate baroque case surmounted by an Arabic rider on rearing steed, with sabre drawn overhead, an enamel dial with Roman numerals, bell-strike mechanism by F.L. Hausburg, Paris, and marked on dial "Medaille d'Argent, Vincenti and Cie...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Moorish Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Sevres style porcelain clock set, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th Century French Serves style porcelain and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having Turquoise ground with inset hand painted romantic scenes to the porcelain, ormo...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Arthur WAAGEN Japanese-style clock set
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
By Arthur WAAGEN (active 1869-1910).
Japanese-style clock set. Made out of spelter.
Representing a young woman dressed in a kimono
Category
19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
An Extremely Fine and Rare 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Amersham, GB
An exquisite Louis XV style gilt and patinated bronze cartel clock. The eight-day two train bell striking movement, with vertically planted platform cylinder escapement and stamped with S. Marti et Cie MEDAILLE D'ARGENT. 1889 roundel and serial number 647 to backplate.
The dial formed as a deep blue and gold flecked enamel dome applied with gilt Roman numerals and stars set within billowing clouds interspersed with sunburst rays. Applied with three patinated bronze cherubs in flight, around the dial attending to a floral garland.
Amongst the clouds can be found a pair of doves, a horn and arrows, a quiver and bow. This coupled with the cherubs and flower garland would suggest this clock was made as a love token or wedding present. The symbolism of love, marriage and fertility, the cherubs representing the three Greek Erotes...
Category
1890s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Miniature Single Fusee Bracket Clock By William Johnston, Strand, London
By Johnson
Located in Amersham, GB
An extremely small single fusee bracket clock in a scalloped mahogany case. The eight day movement having a half deadbeat escapement with a T bar pendulum with hold fast, is beautifu...
Category
1830s English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Sevres style porcelain panelled mantle clock, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu mantel clock with hand painted Sevres style porcelain plaques, depicting beautiful maidens. Having a porcelain lidded urn to the...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Diminutive Bracket Clock by Adams of Lombard Street
By Adams
Located in Amersham, GB
A rosewood and ormolu mounted bracket clock. With an eight day twin fusee movement, signed Adams of Lombard Street on the 5 inch silvered dial and movement back plate. Striking on a ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Fine Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock Set
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning antique French ormolu clock set, circa 1870, mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with Rose Pompadour pink ground. Pan...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th century French decorative toleware garniture set
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French decorative toleware garniture set, circa 1880.
Fine example of a 3 piece garniture set, hand painted toleware decorated with ornate ormolu mounts. Clock fitted w...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large 19th Century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu clock set.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A spectacular French 19th Century Rouge marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a beautiful seated Madian holding an oil lamp above masked bracket supports with ring handles...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Ormolu And Sevres Style Porcelain Three Piece Mantel Clock Garniture Set
Located in Cypress, CA
Exceptional Late 19th Century French Louis XV Style ormolu and Sevres style porcelain 3 piece clock garniture set
Dial marked: Richond / Boult. / Montmartre 21 Paris; Movement marke...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu, Patinated Bronze, And Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu, patinated Bronze, and marble clock signed by Germain, Paris, 1825. The clock is elegantly raised on a white Carrara marble...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock With Dog, 19 C
Located in Cypress, CA
Lovely 19 century French gilt-bronze clock
Apparently unsigned
The white porcelain dial with Roman numeral hour markers, enclosed in a chalet-formed case with a figure of a boy ridi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Pink marble Lyre shape mantle clock, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th Century French Pink marble and gilded ormolu mounts, of a sun burst and swags above the Lyre. A white enamel clock face wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Boulle mantle clock.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th Century Boulle mantle clock, having a gilded ormolu putti seated on the top, Red tortoiseshell and brass inlay to the serpentine shaped case, wonderfu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Antique Patinated Bronze and Onyx Mantel Clock by Mercié and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Antique patinated bronze and onyx mantel clock by Mercié and Barbedienne
French, Late 19th Century
Height 113cm, width 58cm, depth 40cm
Two renowned French makers, Antonin Mercié (...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Grandfather - Tall Case Clock
By Kahn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted amaranth, tulipwood, sycamore and parquetry pedestal "Régulateur de Parquet" Clock, after the model attributed to Jean-...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Sphere Form Clock by Samuel Marte
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This superb quality Neo-Classical style clock features three putti supporting a star studded globe. The white Carrara marble base is mounted with finely cast gilt bronze, or ormolu. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Large Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock Set, Dolphins
By A.D. Mougin
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning and large original antique French ormolu clock set by A. D. Mougin. It is of the most beautiful Rococo style, featuring a dolph...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very dramatic and decorative 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set. having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts, with my...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A French 19th century Louis XVI st. clock signed Le Merle Charpentier Bronzier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte marble and ormolu mounted clock signed Le Merle Charpentier Bronzier, Paris Rue Charlot. The clock is raised b...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century NeoClassical St. Marble & Ormolu Obelisk Shaped Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and unique French early 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble and ormolu obelisk shaped clock. The clock is raised by a rectangular white Carrara marble base with a thick bottom ormolu band and superb richly chased fitted ormolu plaques with the front plaque depicting a bearded man laying outside draped in fur with trees and a ruin in the background and the side plaques depicting beautiful pierced palmettes. At the center are exquisite panther like sphinges flanking draped garlands and superb most decorative bucranium amidst stars at the center. The white enameled clock face displays elegant pierced foliate hands and Arabic hour markings framed within a mottled ormolu bezel. Leading upwards is a wonderfully executed fitted ormolu plaque of a beautiful richly chased maiden draped in flowing period attire throwing flowers...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Classical 19th Century French Crystal + ormolu mantle clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A classical crystal 19th Century French Empire style portico mantle clock, with a gilded ormolu Eagle, white enamel clock face and four column supports engraved decoration and a plin...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century French marble and ormolu clock garniture.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting French 19th Century white marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a mother and childly the white enamel clock face, striking on the hour and half hour on a bel...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Antique Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer Set
By John Barwise
Located in London, GB
Antique marble and gilt bronze clock and barometer set
English, 19th Century
Height 49cm, width 20cm, depth 12cm
This exquisite set of gilt b...
Category
19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Rococo Style Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
Rococo Style Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu Carriage Clock
French, late 19th Century
Dimensions: Height 18cm, width 10cm, depth 8.5cm
The carriage clock is of rectangular form an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
A French 19th Century Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
A French 19th Century gilt bronze clock garniture. The clock has two cherubs, holding the clock, on a white marble and Ormolu mounted ba...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Marble mantle clock and calendar.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century black and rouge marble mantle clock with calendar. Having a gilded ormolu foliate mount to the top, a gilded clock face with an eight day, hour and h...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Breccia Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Mantel Clock by Lamerie-Charpentier & Cie.
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century french Louis XVI ormolu gilt bronze mantel clock by Lamerie-Charpentier & Cie.
By: Lemerle-Charpentier & Cie.
Materi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Metal
French Louis XV Style 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Cherub & Maiden Mantel Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Important and Palatial French Louis XV Style 19th century Gilt-Bronze Cherub and Maiden Mantel Clock "In Search of Love", the movement by "Samuel Marti et Cie." The large and impr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Museum Quality French Marble And Ormolu Clock circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lovely clock is in good running order. It was retailed by Bigelow Kennard in Boston, MA.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Bronze Clock with Sèvres Porcelain
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A fine quality Louis XVI style bronze ormolu mantel clock. The case is made of gilt brass and bronze ormolu casted ornaments, Roman numerals in white enameled cartouches. On top of t...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
A Directoire Ormolu with black marble French pillar clock, three and a half inch enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ‘Viven Fils a Epernay’ with...
Category
1790s French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French 18th Century Louis XV Period Cartel Clock and Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and large scale pair of French 18th century Louis XV period cartel clock and barometer signed Le Roy & Cie, Paris. Each ormolu case has a exquisite a symmetrical design with scrolled foliate movements amidst richly chased branches and flowers. At the center are the original enameled dials one being the clock and the other being the barometer. Each dial is surrounded by an ormolu lattice design while above are period scenes of a gentleman courting a maiden. The young man stands above the young maiden playing a flute while she sits below reading the sheet music. Two sheep seem to be enjoying themselves listening to the music being played.
Julien Le Roy (1686-1759) was a major 18th-century Parisian clockmaker and watchmaker. Born in Tours in 1686, by the age of 13, he had already made his first clock. In 1699, he moved to Paris further training. He became maitre horloger in 1713 and later juré of his guild. Further appointments followed, including the Directorship of the Société des Arts, but the pinnacle of his achievement was being appointed clockmaker (Horloger Ordinaire du Roi) toking Louis XV in 1739. He carried on his business from Rue du Harlay until his death in 1759. His son Pierre Le Roy...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Patinated Bronze And Ormolu Clock
By Jacob Petit
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu clock. The clock in the shape of the Urn of Prosperity is raised by a square base with concave corners a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Monumental Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze and Marble Clock with Putti in the Clouds
Located in New York, NY
A fine Louis XVI-style large gilt-bronze and greige Rococo marble figural mantel clock is surmounted by three dore bronze putti figures hanging floral adornments among clouds with lo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
17th Century Obelisk-Shaped Table Clock
Located in London, GB
17th Century obelisk-shaped table clock
Italian, 17th Century
Height 28cm, width 9cm, depth 7cm
A stunning piece from the 17th century, this table clock is a precious element of horological artistry and mechanical innovation. Encased in gilt and glass, the delicate clock is shaped akin to an obelisk, an intriguing symbol that lends a striking visual appeal.
The foundation of the timepiece is a gilt brass and...
Category
1660s Italian Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Sevres Porcelain and Ormolu Antique French Clock by Miroy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb early antique French ormolu and Sèvres style porcelain clock. It is made of exquisite ormolu (finely gilded bronze) mounted with very finely painted Sèvres style porcelain, ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Porcelain Gilt Mixed Metal Mantel Clock
Located in Forney, TX
A breathtaking antique French Belle Époque period (1871-1914) porcelain mounted mixed metal mantel clock.
Born in France in the late 19th / early 20th century, fine quality Parisian work, exceptionally executed in luxuriously opulent 18th century Louis XV Rocaille taste, finished on all sides so it can be placed anywhere in the room, featuring a visually striking sculptural floral fiolate adorned gilt metal case, heavily embellished with fine porcelain flowers...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Charles X Ormolu Mantel Clock by Mongin, Paris
By Mongin 1
Located in Norwich, GB
French Charles X Ormolu Mantel Clock
Rounded arched pillared case with fine ormolu floral mounts, chased decoration to the pillars standing on a r...
Category
1840s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mantle Clock Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A luxurious French Louis XVI style gilt bronze ormolu and alabaster (onyx-marble) three piece mantle clock and garniture set, possibly attributed to Raingo Freres.
The fine quality antique originating in France in the late 19th century, exquisite Parisian work, exceptionally executed in opulent, elegant, and sophisticated King Louis XVI style, timeless neoclassical taste, comprising: classical architectural case mantel clock, having pointed bronze doré finial, flanked by scrolled foliates and lyre motifs, fancy enamel dial with Arabic numerals, inscribed F. Lapointe, Paris, eight-day time-and-strike movement signed Samuel Marti 1900 (Paris, 1870-1890), original Apollo mask sun-burst pendulum hanging below clock drum, flanked by matched pair of two arm candlestick garnitures, each with matching scrolled foliates and lyre finial, tapering column support with two candle nozzles, rising on stepped molded base, terminating in patinated brass disc feet.
Markings:
Pendulum stamped "R" "1721" ormolu on clock & garnitures stamped "1321"; possibly attributed to R. Freres / Raingo Freres.
Dial signed by French enameller "F. Lapointe, Paris"
Movement stamped by the firm of well-known French clockmaker Samuel Marti et Cie, Paris, second half of 19th century.
Dimensions: (approx)
As pictured:
18.5" High, 36" Wide, 5.5" Deep; 27.5 lbs total.
Clock:
18.5" High, 13" Wide, 5.5" Deep;
Candelabra garnitures: (each)
12" High, 8" Wide, 4.25" Deep;
Condition:
Presents splendidly. Great original unrestored antique condition. Currently not operating as it's lacking a suspension spring. Retaining bell, pendulum, and key. Losses to decorative elements. Wear consistent with age and use.
To ensure the clock arrives as beautiful as it leaves here, and due to the rather delicate nature of antique clocks...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Superb 19th Century Grandfather Clock by Haentges Freres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A superb quality 19th century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany and King-wood Parquetry "Re´gulateur de Parquet" Grandfather longcase Clock by Haentges Freres.
The drum...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French 19th century Rococo gilded ormolu mantel clock. The eight day movement, chimes on the hour and half hour.
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Louis XVI Style Cartel Signed Raingo
Located in BARSAC, FR
Imposing finely chiseled gilt bronze cartel decorated with mistletoe garland, rams heads and pine cones, firepot on the pediment.
Signed Raingo Frères in Paris on the enamelled di...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Meissen Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most decorative French 19th century Louis XV st. Meissen porcelain and ormolu clock signed Meissen and Crosnier. The clock is raised by a beautiful scrolled ground...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Rococo Ormolu Antique French Clock, Genius of Music
By Vincenti et Cie, Cie Des Bronzes De Bruxelles
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb and substantial ormolu clock from a design by the 18th century bronze founder Robert Osmond and made by the famous Compagnie des Bronze of Bruss...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Ormolu Lyre Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu Lyre clock standing on a stepped rectangular base with acanthus leaf decoration and floral swags resting on four turned and chased toupe feet.
Chased garland gilt bezel surrounding a fine enamel dial with Roman numerals and a gilded starburst...
Category
1840s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Period Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock with Candelabras
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A finely bronze fire-gilded ormolu mantel clock set with matching candelabras. Rich ornate with typical Louis XVI mounts, floral garlands, scrolls, ribbons and bow. The case is made ...
Category
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze White Marble Cherub Cupid Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Louis XVI Style gilt and patinated bronze and white marble figural mantel clock with a figure of a drummer cherub. The brown patina cupid, seated on gilt-bronze clouds ...
Category
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Style Champleve Enamel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality, 19th century French gilded ormolu and champleve enamel clock garniture. The clock has a cherub on either side, an urn with swags to the top, 'C' scroll and folia...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu-Mounted Lyre Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A French Sevres style cobalt blue lyre clock with finely cast ormolu sunburst and floral swagged mounts with jewelled bezel, pretty floral swa...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Delafontaine
Located in London, GB
The acclaimed French bronze foundry, Delafontaine, created this remarkable mantel clock. At the time this piece was crafted, in c.1860, the company was directed by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). The firm was famous for its high-quality artistic bronzes, which can today be viewed in major art collections, such as the Louvre in Paris.
Shaped like an upside down ‘T’, this gilt bronze...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Three Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt bronze and porcelain three piece clock garniture by Raingo Freres. The circular gilt and 'jewel' decorated porcelain dial of the clock with Roman numerals an...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French, Greek Revolution or Hellenistic Mantel Clock of Turk on Horseback
Located in London, GB
French Greek Revolution or Hellenistic mantel clock of Greek hero on horseback. Constructed of the very finest cast bronze and fire gilded ormolu and ...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Ormolu Clock Garniture in the Louis XVI Style
Located in Dublin, IE
Measures: H: 25 1/2 in / 64.7 cm ; W: 22 1/4 in / 56.5 cm ; D: 9 1/2 in / 24.2 cm
An exceptional quality three-piece clock set designed in a grand neoclassical.
The set is compri...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Mantle Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French late 19th century gilded ormolu and champleve enamel mantel (fireplace) clock. Having urns and a cherub above the eight day clock that chimes...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Ormolu Clocks for Sale on 1stDibs
Antique ormolu clocks and other decorative objects can be incorporated into a variety of spaces, and while demand for the material and/or technique was at its peak in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries — older French ormolu clocks are especially coveted today — ormolu is still widely loved by contemporary designers and collectors.
What is ormolu?
Ormolu is a brilliant form of decorative trickery. To the untrained eye, ormolu clocks, jewelry boxes and other ormolu furniture and decor look like they're made of solid gold. But those in the know recognize ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — as having been essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
“Most commonly, ormolu refers to a bronze object that has been covered with gold, typically 18 karat or 24 karat,” explains Jamie Sinai, director of the antiques specialist Mayfair Gallery, in London. “For that reason, ormolu is sometimes called gilt bronze or, in French, bronze doré. Strictly speaking, however, the term ormolu also denotes the technique of applying gold to a metal.”
“The word comes from the French or moulu, which translates as ‘ground or powdered gold’ — the form the gold takes before it is applied to a metal surface.”
From the court of King Louis XVI to that of Napoleon I, the French elite snapped up furniture mounted with ormolu, as well as sconces, candelabra and table lamps made from the material.
If you're looking to bring a touch of this 19th-century pizzazz to your desk, an antique ormolu desk clock is a decorative touch that blends ornament and functionality. The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier. Indeed, an ormolu clock is an object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. (This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles!)
Today, antiques collectors and interior designers seek out the finest in antique ormolu clocks and continue to prize ormolu for its extraordinary craftsmanship and history-infused glamour.
“This wondrous material was highly sought after in France as the ultimate luxury. It magically resembled solid gold and sparkled under candlelight,” says Sinai.
Find antique ormolu desk clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
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