Louis XVI Clocks

Portico clock signed “Persevalle à Reims” This refined portico clock crafted in transitional Louis XVI – Empire style from ormolu and black marble is signed on the dial “Persevalle à Reims”. The Empire style was based on elements of the Roman Empire and its culture, which had been rediscovered starting in the eighteenth century. Bronze was the main material used in Empire style timepieces and both the patina and ormolu techniques were vastly used for ornamentation during this period. As for the source of inspiration for decorative motifs of Louis XVI style, it was coming from nature and antiquity thus many characteristic elements would reoccur in architecture, interior decoration and furniture. Many ornaments were borrowed from flora, and this love for nature appeared into decoration by the presence of a wreath of roses, baskets, palmettes, bows and ribbons. The portico clock is mainly crafted from black marble and ormolu bronze embellishments, which with their minimalistic touch compliments one another. As mentioned before, the source of inspiration for this portico clock derived from antiquity. The columns which are a key feature of portico clocks are constructed in Greco-Roman architecture. The two front black pillars are made in Tuscan style with gilded capital and base, they are also entwined with an acanthus spiral around the pillar. The back columns, in contrast to the front one, are square and has only a face adorned with a gilded bronze floral garland. The four columns are connected on top with an entablature with a cylinder-shaped dial in the middle cast from bronze. The entablature is adorned on both sides with gilded lyres and flower vases. The dial of the clock is signed ‘Persevalle à Reims’ and consists of blue Breguet-style hands that indicate hours laid out in Roman numerals and minutes in Arabic numerals on the enamel dial. The Breguet hands have a circle with a filled crescent shape on the side and have been featured its founder's watch hands for over two centuries now. This unique shape is sometimes referred to by the French word for apple, pomme. Above the dial is situated a small black marble plinth and a marble medicis vase...

A most spectacular and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble, ormolu and patinated bronze annular clock, signed MARTI, circa 1840. Raised by a...

A very elegant and richly chased 19th century French Louis XVI st. ormolu clock signed F. Barbedienne. The clock is raised by five toupee shaped feet. At the frieze are two rosettes encompassing a Rinceau design below the berried laurel band. Above is the original beveled curved glass door and enameled dial. The pediment is decorated with acanthus leaves. At the top is the urn of prosperity with a finial draped by a laurel leaf garland...

An exquisite and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu Portique clock, signed "Tiffany'. Raised by a marble base with ormolu topie shaped supports. Above are two columns decorated by finely chased floral ormolu mounts. The columns are flanked by two fluted tapering ormolu design elements. The enamel dial has a foliate garland at the center and ormolu pendulum. At the top crown is an ormolu floral basket with two lovebirds...

Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI gilt bronze and malachite clock French, late 18th Century Measures: Height 56cm, width 35cm, depth 12cm Crafted from gilt bronze and a later malac...

French 19th century Louis XVI style white marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a two handled urn finial above a white enamel clock face, an eight day duration clock that ...

Louis XVI architectural gilt bronze and malachite clock French, late 18th century Measures: Height 53cm, width 35.5cm, depth 11cm Crafted from ormolu and a later malachite venee...

Ormolu bronze mantel clock flanked by a troubadour and musical instruments, signed 'Ferdinand Berthoud a Paris'. The end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century was a crucial time in which new technological advances helped to make watches more accurate and more portable. During the 1790s, the production of gilded bronze increased considerably as working conditions improved. The freedom of trade initiated by the French Revolution allowed many casters to develop large factories. The new factory environment gave them a chance to execute all stages of bronze work including drawing, casting, gilding, assembly, and trade of art objects. While the bronzers took creative liberty in creating all kinds of clocks in contrast to the noble and rigorous structure carried by the movement of neoclassicism. Under the reign of Empire, the case designs started gradually to develop away from a proportionate and strict classicism towards a baroque style and revival style. The rediscovery of medieval civilization was one of the intellectual curiosities of the beginning of the 19th century, with much input from the Ancien Régime and its institutions, rites and the medieval churches in which family ceremonies occurred. This early nineteenth-century figural mantel clock is surmounted by a medieval musician. To be more precise, it is a french troubadour. Troubadours were known for composing and performing lyric poetry for the nobility back during medieval times. The clock is featuring a chiselled bronze troubadour, dressed in medieval fashion while holding a flute, playing a tune from sheet music called "Du Troubadour" that is resting on top of the rectangular clock case. In addition to that, the clock features a gilt bronze lute or vielle resting on a small stool on the opposite side of the clock’s case. The white enamel dial features the inscription Berthoud and is underlined by a bronze entourage chiselled with palmette motif, plus encompassed by c-scrolls and wreaths. The original hands are in blued steel and encircled by Roman numerals indicating hour next to Arabic numerals indicating minutes. The small details that adorn the hexagonal plinth are reliefs, depicting two water fountains or basins on both sides with a lyre in between. The sculpted image of a lyre raised above the background features also foliage garlands tied on top with ribbons. The clock rests on seven spinning feet. The clock was made in the well-known workshop of the Berthoud’s family that was recognized for their excellent work by the King. Berthoud Clockmakers History. Ferdinand Berthoud was a horologist and author of extensive treatises on timekeeping as well as a Swiss clockmaker serving the king of France, that produced many marine clocks, including a weight-driven version that inspired the first American sea-going clock. He was born in Plancemont, Switzerland, the son of an architect and judiciary. In 1741 he began a three-year apprenticeship as a clockmaker under his brother, Jean-Henri. He made his first marine chronometer in 1754 (sent for trial in 1761) and in 1764 was appointed a member of the Royal Society, London and Horloger Mécanicien de Sa Majesté et de la Marine ayant l'inspection de la construction des Horloges Marines. In 1769, Ferdinand Berthoud sent for his nephew Pierre-Louis Berthoud (1754–1813), commonly known as Louis Berthoud, a talented young watchmaker and clockmaker, inviting him to come to Paris from Couvet, Switzerland, to pursue his apprenticeship. Louis helped Ferdinand manufacture and repair the sea clocks...

A very impressive and fine quality late 19th Century English bracket / mantel clock. Veneered in red Tortoiseshell and having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts and mouldings. Having fla...

An exquisite French early 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu mounted clock. Raised on ormolu supports the rectangular marble base with beaded trim and Clodion...

Antique 19th century French gilded bronze and white marble mantel clock of the period Louis XVI.  

A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sèvres porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine topie shaped feet below the ormolu base which is decorated with elegant...

A most elegant Danish 18th century Louis XVI period oak grandfather clock. The clock is raised by fine bun feet below a mottled finally carved foliate band. The case displays one doo...

French 19th century Louis XVI style mantel clock signed by J Marti. Made from marble and gilt bronze with porcelain dial.

A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte marble and ormolu clock by Raingo Frères, Paris. At the base are stunning ormolu mounts of rosettes and scrolled foliate...

An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by fine circular ormolu supports below the demi lune shaped white Carrara marb...

This clock was made by Jean-Baptiste Baillon III, one of the most skilled and innovative makers of his day. He supplied the most illustrious clientele, not least the French and Spanish royal family as well as distinguished members of Court and the cream of Parisian society. This is a unique, authentic antique French table or mantel clock, which is in finely chiseled and gilded bronze. The dial has outer Arabic numerals and inner Roman numerals with a fine pair of pierced gilt brass hands for the hours and minutes. Next to the clock is a tall lady figurine, accompanied by a child. The woman is holding a book in her right hand and a feather pen...

An extremely elegant and very high-quality French 18th century Louis XVI period ormolu, Bleu Turquin and white Carrara marble clock signed by Jean-Baptiste Dutertre. The clock is rai...

A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock, by Alix à Paris. The clock is raised by six elegant tapered ormolu feet below the white Carrara...

An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI St. ormolu and porcelain clock. The small scale clock is raised by fine tapered fluted legs below striking richly chased block rosettes cente...

A stunning and most unique French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, patinated bronze and marble clock, stamped Vincent 1855. The clock is raised by fine ormolu supports below the ci...

An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble, ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Jean, A Rennes. The clock is raised by four fine topie s...

Pendulum clock "Regulateur de parquet" after Jean-Henri Riesener Napoleon III, Paris, circa 1850-1880. Balthazar, Paris. This fine quality late...

Ferdinand Berthoud (18 March 1727, in Plancemont-sur-Couvet (Principality of Neuchâtel) – 20 June 1807, in Groslay (Val d'Oise)), was a scientist and watchmaker. He became master wat...

An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Raingo Frères Paris. The clock is ...

In fine condition with eagle finial over an enameled clock dial signed Degre, a fine Paris maker listed in Tardys book of French clockmakers. Flanked by two pairs of urns one white marble and the other black over marble columns wrapped in spiraling gilt bronze vines...

Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite mantel clock French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 47cm, width 19cm, depth 19cm This wonderful Louis XVI style mantel clock is designed in malachite and gilt bronze—with the malachite being a later veneer. The clock takes after a famous original 1775 model by Brécourt, known as 'Vase pendule...

A sensational and extremely high quality Austrian 18th century Louis XVI period giltwood cartel blind man's clock, circa 1740. The clock displays a most exquisitely carved case with intricately detailed scrolled designs, wheat sprigs and stunning blossoming flowers. At the top is the impressive urn with a large bouquet of abundant charming flowers. The white enamel clock face displays finely hand painted numbers with a second hand feature. The blind man function of this clock uses two separate sounding bells...

An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by ormolu topie shaped supports below a marble base with ormolu scrolling foliage and ormolu beaded row. Above is the central fluted marble column...

French Neoclassical style malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock French, late 19th Century Measures: height 42cm, width 22cm, depth 11cm This fine clock...

Antique French Louis XVI bronze d'ore 3-piece garniture clock set, Circa 1880.

A spectacular and extremely high quality French early 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock, signed Simona à Paris, circa 1819. The clock is raised by six elegant topie shaped feet below the exceptional and most decorative scallop shaped white Carrara marble base. The base displays an exceptional stepped design and beautiful pierced baluster like wrap around ormolu gallery with a fine twisted ribbon fillet and central rosette. Leading up each side are impressive columns raised by square supports with exceptional concave sides decorated with fitted pierced foliate ormolu mounts, and rosettes encased by unique posts and chains. The columns are each adorned with lovely swaging ormolu fabrics, tassels, and an exquisite array of beaded and twisted ribbon ormolu fillets leading upwards to the superb ball and chain pendants. Above the beautiful pendulum with two intricately detailed rooster heads and central sun mask is the elegant enameled clock face with Arabic hour and minute markers with pieced hands with the rare inclusion of a second hand framed within an outstanding and finely detailed ormolu band of intertwined ropes. Above is a handsome richly chased Roman soldier wearing a cape and holding a dagger and sheath...

A very fine Louis XVI style figural mantel clock with matching flanking candelabra. The clock is bronze casted and has an ormolu f...

Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany and ormolu longcase clock, circa 1890.

A charming and high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period ormolu, Gris St. Anne and white Carrara marble clock, signed 'Mailland, a Paris'. The clock is raised by six mottled ...

Black marble mantel clock with Dore bronze highlights surmounted by a patinated bronze statue of two partially clad female figures, one holding a tambourine. Both females hold the ha...

This is a delicately gilded clock. Designed in the Louis XVI style, it is a very similar barometer. Originating from France in the 18th century, this watch gives the viewer an extrem...

A very good quality late 19th century French gilded ormolu and Sevres style porcelain clock garniture. The clock having this wonderful cobalt blue ground fluted, lidded vase with ring...

An exceptional and very high quality French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu cartel clock, by Etienne Maxant. The impressive wall clock is centered by a stunning richly chased b...

A Louis XVI style cartel wall clock, made in France circa 1880-1890. The case is made of casted spelter (metal alloy) and fitted with four beveled mirror glass. The dial is covered w...

A spectacular and unique French early 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu mantel clock, signed by Chapsal a Paris. The clock is raised on finely chased swan supports below a rectangula...

An elegant French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated bronze, ormolu, and white Carrara marble clock signed H Luppens & Cie. The clock is raised by five topie shaped feet with f...

A very rare Louis XVI style gilt-bronze and glass, Pendule a cage, by Francois Linke, with a white marble base. Linke Index no. 076'. Linke Title: 'pendule a cage'. Signed to th...

A spectacular French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock in the manner of Clodion. The clock is raised by elegant reeded topie shaped feet below the ...

A very fine Louis XVI ormolu clock set, by Ferdinand Berthoud, Paris, circa 1770 This clock set is presented in gilt Bronze and Bleu Turqin and...

A stunning French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu clock, by Bardon, Montpellier. The clock has two love birds on the left looking over to a patinated bronze cupid, standing pro...

Louis XVI style Ormolu Mounted long case clock by H&F À PARIS This clock is from 18th century Louis XV The special thing is that it runs accurately, and the power reserve is 12mon...

A most exquisite French mid-19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, white Carrara marble and crystal clock. The clock is raised on a moulded oval white Carrara marble base supported by ri...

Our Louis XVI style clock in the manner of Louis Simon Boizot (1743-1809) features the patinated figures of neoclassical standing females supporting...

An extremely high quality French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. signed 'Lepaute, Paris' ormolu clock. The clock with a superb chasing throughout has all of its original gilt. Raised ...

An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. Biscuit de Sèvres garniture clock set. The set has a pair of urns of prosperity with two cherubs on eac...

A stunning and very high quality French mid-19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock, stamped L. Oudry, Paris. The c...

A most exquisite French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by topie shaped ormolu supports, The rectangular marble base is deco...

Antique French Louis XVI white marble & gold bronze 3 piece Garniture clock set. Clock: 14" High x 10" Wide x 4-1/2" Deep Candelabra: 12" High x 6" Diameter at Top and 5" Diameter ...

An impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu mounted on white Carrara marble clock Garniture set. The three piece set includes a pair of two arm candelabras ormolu mounted with beads and C scrolled arms. The clock is ornamented with ormolu laurel garlands and an urn of prosperity above. The whole is raised on four marble columns...

Mantel clock 18th century Louis XV by PICARD, HENRI (FRENCH, FL. 1831-1864) Henri Picard was a prestigious 19th century fondeur and doreur, who worked in Par...

Gilt bronze clock in the Louis XVI style representing a nymph and two cherubs. The nymph, undressed and resting on a cushion, is nursing one of the cherubs while the second one calls...

Maker: Etienne Lenoir Case: The ormolu and patinated case features a prancing horse with a finely textured finish, a wellcast snail, scrolling foliage above framing the clock ...