Ormolu Clocks
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65
724
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5,779
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Material: Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Lyre Shape Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French white marble and gilded ormolu mantel clock in the shape of a Lyre. Having a sun burst mount above gilded ormolu garlands of flowers, set into the ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Large Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style clock garniture. The pair of five branch candelabra supported by a pair of classical semi clad females, ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Three-Piece Louis XV Rococo Style Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Three-piece Louis XV Rococo style porcelain and ormolu clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 82cm, width 62, depth 28cm
Candelabra: Height 76cm, diameter 22cm
Compr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock Commemorating Napoleon
Located in London, GB
Large gilt bronze mantel clock commemorating Napoleon
French, circa 1840
Measures: Height 57cm, width 40cm, depth 15cm
The gilt bronze m...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock Garniture
By A.D. Mougin
Located in London, GB
A fine quality late 19th century French bronze and ormolu garniture, the 8-day striking enamelled dial movement by AD Mougin - Paris, contained in ormolu cas...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
English Victorian Ormolu Horseshoe Clock in Original Box
Located in London, GB
An English ormolu horseshoe clock in the manner of Thomas Cole. Small 3/4 plate movement with dust covers to rear for wind, adjust and regulate. Fine original silvered bronze dial wi...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm
This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Rare 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Inclined Plane Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An extremely rare Louis XVI mantel clock 'a cremaillere', a movement driven by its own weight, where the moving drum barrel is running down an inclined whi...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Neoclassical Style Three-Piece Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique neoclassical style three-piece gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 57cm, width 74cm, depth 23cm.
Candelabra: Height 83cm, width 27cm, d...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Rare Orientalist Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Rare orientalist gilt bronze mantel clock by Denière et Fils
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 54cm, width 40cm, depth 18cm
This beautiful mantel clock is crafted from gilt br...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Eclectic Style Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique eclectic style gilt bronze clock set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Clock height 78cm, width 36cm, depth 24cm, candelabra height ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 51cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm
This mantel ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Arch top French mantel clock in a finely decorated Ormolu case with classical scene to the front, standing on a mahogany base with brass banding and resting on brass feet.
Enamel ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock height 52cm, width 39cm, depth 15cm
Vases height 38cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm
This be...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Rococo Cartel Wall Clock, in the Louis XVI Style
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and patinated bronze sun burst cartel wall clock. Depicting cherubs among clouds and sun rays. The white enamel clock fac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Régence Style Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
French Régence style gilt bronze clock garniture
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 60cm, width 36cm, depth 20cm
Candelabra: Height 67cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm
This wonde...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Champlevé Enamel Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French champlevé enamel and porcelain clock garniture, set in a gilded ormolu case, the porcelain panels to the clock and urns depicting classic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock with Champleve Decoration by Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Norwich, GB
French gilt ormolu mantle clock with beautiful champlevé decoration with turned pilasters, architectural pediment with four turned finials.
Gilded chapter ring with Roman numerals...
Category
1870s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting late 19th century French gilded ormolu and marble mantel clock, depicting cherubs playing, one chasing a young girl, the other hiding amongst a wreath and foliage. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Category
1810s Belgian Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Marble, Gilt, and Patinated Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece clock set by Barbedienne
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 93cm, width 60cm, depth 28cm
Candelabra: Height 97cm, width 46cm, depth 33cm
This monumental marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece set is a stunning example of Barbedienne's craftsmanship during the Parisian Belle Époque. Paul Dubois' 'Le Courage Militaire...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
Rococo style gilt bronze mounted porcelain clock garniture
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 13...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Gilded Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive fine quality 19th century French gilded ormolu Louis XVI style clock garniture. Having a pair of seven branch scrolling foliate candelabra. The clock with a seated ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Rare 19th Century Sevres Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very fine quality French late 19th century Sevres style and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra, each with ram's head and female mask mounts, dra...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Hardstone Inlay Napoleon III Period Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and hardstone inlay Napoleon III period clock set by Barbedienne
French, 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 50cm, width 23cm, depth 16c...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Stone, Bronze, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Enamel, Onyx, and Gilt Bronze Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style enamel, onyx, and gilt bronze pedestal clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 125cm, width 36cm, depth 30cm
This beautiful pedestal clock has...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Porcelain Mounted Figural Clock, Allegorical of the Arts
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI style gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain mounted figural clock, Allegorical of the Arts.
The dial signed 'Colin, Paris'.
The movement stamped 'Vincenti et Cie'.
...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts.
The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Belle Époque Period Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Belle Époque period gilt bronze and enamel clock set
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 15cm
Vases: Height 29cm, diameter 11.5cm
Candlestic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Rare Monumental Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Jules Graux of Paris
Located in London, GB
An Exhibition Quality Garniture de Cheminée
By Jules Graux of Paris
Of important size and supreme quality, the mantle clock constructed from white Carr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Brass
Exceptional French Tiffany & Co Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Marble Base
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional French gilt bronze mantel clock marketed by Tiffany & Co, with classical cast gilt figures of a boy and girl reading on each side of the clock, a central raised panel ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Renaissance Revival Enamel and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Renaissance Revival enamel and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Size: Height 53cm, width 29cm, depth 22cm
The mantel clock i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Lyre-Form Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lyre-form gilt bronze clock
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 19cm, depth 13cm
This wonderful mantel clock, crafted entirely from gilt bronze, is a magnificent example of the Louis XVI style. The clock is designed about the motif of the lyre—a popular form for Louis XVI style clocks. The clock features a stepped plinth-form base, raised on four bun feet. The base supports the clock case itself, which is wrought to resemble a lyre: the dial is set into the body of the lyre, while the twin lyre arms spring from the shoulders of the case. The arms are joined above by a garland held by scrolled swan’s head finials, between which is situated an Apollo sunburst mask. The gilt bronze surrounding the dial is richly moulded with scrolled forms and grasping acanthus leaves. The dial itself, with a pierced centre, features Arabic numeral hour marks on individual circular enamel cartouches.
The movement is signed ‘Le Roy a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large Charles X Period Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Charles X period gilt bronze and malachite clock
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 62cm, width 54cm, depth 20cm
This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Charles...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Monumental Ormolu Bronze Clock Mantel by Maison Marquis Movement by Languereau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and monumental 19th century French ormolu bronze mantel clock by Maison Marquis.
The movement by Languereau.
Paris, Circa 1855
The dial signed 'Marquis A Paris...
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Charles X Malachite and Gilt Bronze Figurative Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X malachite and gilt bronze figurative clock
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 62cm, width 45cm, depth 16cm
This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Ch...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
French Grande Sonnerie Pendule D'officier Alarm Clock, Le Roi, 18th Century
By Le Roi
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine French ormolu grande sonnerie pendule d'officier with alarm, Le Roi & Fils, late 18th century.
The ormolu case profusely decorated with flora...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Petite Sonnerie Ormolu Carriage Clock by Grohé with Calendar
Located in London, GB
A Petit Sonnerie carriage clock by Grohe of Paris
The gilt bronze case comprehensively engraved, and having a retractable carrying handle; the lever movement driving the petit son...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Aurora in Her Chariot Pulled by Her Winged
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire Ormolu mantel clock of a chariot drawn by two winged horses carrying the chariot with a female figure. Thi...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Sevres Style Gilded Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful French 19th century gilded ormolu mantel clock, having a putti mounted to the top holding garlands of flowers, draping down the case, Rams heads and urns of flowers. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Circular Movement Mantel Clock by Leroy & Cie
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style circular movement mantel clock by Leroy & Cie
French, circa 1880
Measures: Height 72cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm
This superb mantel clock, crafted from white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze—takes the shape of an Amphora vase form case above a cylindrical stem and a circular foot, the stem and foot ornamented with classicising gilt bronze mounts. The foot of the vase sits on an architecturally formed plinth, which is decorated with inset gilt bronze relief panels...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figurative Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt bronze figurative mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 33cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm
This superb mantel clock is a wonderful example of the...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Very Large Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
Very large Louis XV style gilt bronze mantel clock by Beurdeley
French, circa 1880
Measures: Height 102cm, width 48cm, depth 29cm
This very large mantel clock...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain clock garniture
French, 19th century
Measures: Clock height 46cm, width 29cm, depth 24c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Pink Porcelain Clock by Japy Fréres in the Louis XVI Manner
By Japy Frères
Located in London, GB
A table clock in the Louis XVI Manner
By Japy Frères
The finely chased ormolu case is dressed with pink 'Sèvres' style hand decorated polychrome panels to the face and sides, dep...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Cupid and Psyche
Located in London, GB
Large neoclassical style gilt bronze mantel clock with cupid and psyche
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 54cm, width 80cm, depth 30cm
This ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century Sèvres Neoclassical Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Directoire clock attributed to Sèvres. Beautifully sculpted biscuit porcelain in white and Wedgwood blue jasper ware col...
Category
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large 19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Clock Set, by Deniere, Paris
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive 19th century gilded ormolu and bronze Louis XVI style clock garniture, having a reclined classical lady reading, next to a white enamel clock face with an eigh...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Large 19th Century Sevres Style Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Figural Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent French mantel clock in patinated bronze and original ormolu. Modeled with figures of two classically dressed females sitting back to back against the clock drum and rea...
Category
19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Gros
By Jean-Louis-Benjamin Gros
Located in London, GB
Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted tortoiseshell bracket clock by Gros
French, circa 1860
Measures: Clock height 90cm, width 52cm, depth 30cm
Bracket height 44cm, width 55cm, dept...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Gilt Bronze Strut Clock in the Style of Cole
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th century gilt bronze strut clock in the style of Cole. Original gilding and very fine engraving make this a most attractive clock. The pierced ormolu frame gives a very light...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Ormolu Figural Clock by Monbro Aine, Jacquier & Henri Picard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Imposing 19th century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze striking Mantel clock. Flanked by two sitting cherubs and another two cherubs on top, this is another example of a fine French m...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock pendulum France, Mid-Late 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A French ormolu mantel clock
French, mid-late 19th century
Measres: Height 37 cm, width 39 cm, depth 13.5 cm.
A late 19th century French gilt-bronze (ormolu) and marble mantel clock ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Raingo Frères Ormolu Bronze Cartel Wall Clock with Cherub
Located in Madrid, ES
Exhibiting the fine design and craftsmanship of French clockmakers Raingo Frères (Raingo Brothers), this impressively large clock, measuring over 1 meter tall ( 3 feet +), is an example of the “Second Rococo” period beginning circa 1830, when the highly ornate "Cartel" style of the early 18th century came back into fashion. The clock is crowned at top center by the figure of a putto or cherub, holding in one hand a dove and the other a garland of flowers. This allegorical figure can represent innocence or purity, and was a popular subject for sculptors of the 19th century. The term "Cartel clock" comes from the French "Pendule à Cartel" meaning roughly "clock in a frame for the wall" - the word "Cartel" meaning in this context "decorative frame". These clocks were almost always made from gilt bronze (also known as "ormolu") and highly decorated.
The clock is complete and includes a winding key, and will be checked by our specialist clockmaker to ensure it is functioning properly before shipping.
Established in the early 1800s, Raingo Frères was one of the leading makers of precision clocks...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Brass, Enamel, Ormolu
Large Neoclassical Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Circular Movement Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large neoclassical style marble and gilt bronze circular movement mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 82cm, width 26cm, depth 26cm
Crafted from the finest of materials, including beautiful white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze, this unusually large mantel clock is a superb piece of neoclassical design. The clock features a white marble vase-shaped case, which houses its circular movement. The vase is set above a plinth form base, which is inset with gilt bronze relief panels...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
By Popon A Paris
Located in London, GB
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 68cm, width 63cm, depth 26cm
Candelabra: Height 89cm, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu, Tôle
French Gilt Bronze Mounted Marine Themed Automaton Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mounted marine themed automaton mantel clock
French, circa 1850
Measures: With glass dome and base height 90 cm, width 70 cm, depth 33 cm
Clock without dome and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm
Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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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