How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?

Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.

How do I identify my antique clock?

To identify your antique clock, search for markings on the back of its movement or case. Once you have located these marks, use trusted online resources to determine who the maker is. From there, you can continue your research to learn more about your clock's age, style and other characteristics. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also assist you with identification. Find a wide range of antique clocks on 1stDibs.

What is an antique bracket clock?

An antique bracket clock refers to a portable spring-driven pendulum table clock created in the 17th and 18th centuries. These clocks were equipped with convenient carrying handles and were housed usually in rectangular cases. Shop a collection of antique and vintage bracket clocks from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

How can I spot an antique clock?

To spot whether or not a clock is antique, note if the clockmaker’s name or company is engraved near the center face of the dial. A paper label may also be pasted on the back of the clock. You can shop a collection of expertly vetted antique clocks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

How do I know if my antique clock is valuable?

To know if an antique clock is valuable, you'll typically need to have the piece assessed by a certified appraiser or an experienced antiques dealer. The maker and style of the clock will help determine its value (an early American clockmaker’s antique grandfather model, featuring an oak case and decorative carvings, may be very interesting to collectors, for example). Overall condition of your clock also plays a role. Generally, clocks that still work are worth more than those that require repairs. On 1stDibs, find a selection of antique, vintage and modern clocks.

Are old antique clocks worth anything?

Yes, some old antique clocks may be worth something. Many collectors look for clocks produced by certain manufacturers, such as the Ansonia Clock Company, the Seth Thomas Clock Company, Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Chelsea Clock Company. In addition to the maker, the type, materials, style and condition of the clock influence its value. Generally, clocks that remain in good working order are worth more than those in need of repairs and restorations. To find out how much your clock may be worth, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique clocks.

Antique Water Clock

18th Century Swedish Clock

Art Deco Turtle

George III Grandfather Clocks

Mystery Clocks

Lancet Window

Painted 18th Century Grandfather Clocks

Gilded Wall Clock

Porcelain Mantle Clocks

Allegorical French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting Earth’s Source of Water

$7,500

H 24 in W 17 in D 6 in

Allegorical French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting Earth’s Source of Water

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A gilt bronze French Empire clock depicting an allegory to the earth’s water source. In this clock

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Water Clock

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Clock with Lamp - Water Carrier Sculpture / Illuminated Nude with Vase

$3,058

H 16.34 in W 20.87 in D 5.91 in

Art Deco Clock with Lamp - Water Carrier Sculpture / Illuminated Nude with Vase

Located in Hoddesdon, GB

A spectacular Art Deco illuminated clock featuring a sculpture of the water carrier / Nude with

Category

1830s French Art Deco Antique Water Clock

Materials

Alabaster, Marble, Spelter

French 19th Century First Empire Ormolu Clock

$28,900

H 16 in W 10.5 in D 6 in

French 19th Century First Empire Ormolu Clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

, turning the sharpening wheel, within a basin, on top of the clock and pouring water from a pitcher

Category

19th Century French Antique Water Clock

Materials

Ormolu

Ancient Egyptian Sandstone Relief

$50,000

H 8.5 in W 13 in D 3 in

Ancient Egyptian Sandstone Relief

Located in Los Angeles, CA

or water clock) to a goddess, of which only her lily-topped scepter is preserved to the right. The

Category

15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Antique Water Clock

Materials

Sandstone

Verge Crown Wheel Key Winding 18K Yellow Gold Ornate Pocket Watch

$9,594

W 0.71 in Dm 1.89 in

Verge Crown Wheel Key Winding 18K Yellow Gold Ornate Pocket Watch

Located in Washington Depot, CT

by continuous processes, such as the flow of liquid in water clocks, to repetitive, oscillatory

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Water Clock

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

19th-century Scenic Clock Face

$675

H 20 in W 14 in D 0.25 in

19th-century Scenic Clock Face

Located in San Francisco, CA

—the lower two set by water. The original clock’s maker, A. & J. Kleiser, operated in late 19th-century

Category

1880s English Late Victorian Antique Water Clock

Materials

Metal

Recent Sales

Swedish Gilded Wall Clock

Unavailable

H 34 in W 20.5 in D 5 in

Swedish Gilded Wall Clock

By Henrik Beurling

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Water Gilded Wall Clock from Sweden Signed Beurling, Stockholm from 1780s. The face of the clock is

Category

18th Century and Earlier Swedish Gustavian Antique Water Clock

18th Century Aquilla Barber 8 Day Arched Automata Longcase Clock

Unavailable

H 85 in W 18.5 in D 8.75 in

18th Century Aquilla Barber 8 Day Arched Automata Longcase Clock

Located in Cheltenham, GB

neck gracefully dips into the water. A rare clock made by Aquilla Barber of Bristol who is a well

Category

1790s English George III Antique Water Clock

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Pine, Paint

18th Century 8 Day Brass Dial Moon Phase Clock by George White of Bristol

Unavailable

H 81 in W 22.5 in D 11.5 in

18th Century 8 Day Brass Dial Moon Phase Clock by George White of Bristol

Located in Cheltenham, GB

An 8 day arched brass dial moon phase and high water tidal dial clock. Striking the hours on a

Category

18th Century British George III Antique Water Clock

Materials

Brass

Large blue centerpiece jardiniere in faience of Bordeaux Jules Vieillard 19th

Unavailable

H 14.97 in W 18.12 in D 11.03 in

Large blue centerpiece jardiniere in faience of Bordeaux Jules Vieillard 19th

Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR

porcelain, including table services, lamps, bowls, clocks, candlesticks, holy water fonts, vases, bottles

Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Water Clock

Materials

Faience

Gübelin Turtle Mystery Water Clock

Sold

H 5.13 in Dm 8.5 in

Gübelin Turtle Mystery Water Clock

By Gubelin

Located in New Orleans, LA

water clock is a true wonder of horology. This timepiece was created during the Art Deco era and

Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Antique Water Clock

Swiss Made Gübelin Lucerne Mystery Floating Turtle Water Clock, Rare

Sold

H 5.5 in W 11 in L 5.5 in

Swiss Made Gübelin Lucerne Mystery Floating Turtle Water Clock, Rare

By Gubelin

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

The clock only works when the approximately one inch deep dish is partially filled with water to allow

Category

Early 19th Century Swiss Art Deco Antique Water Clock

Materials

Marble, Silver

Samuel Marti Gilt Bronze Cartel Wall Clock

Sold

H 4.5 in W 9.25 in D 20.25 in

Samuel Marti Gilt Bronze Cartel Wall Clock

By Samuel Marti

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

patent in 1867 for a water clock. The Le Roy name is well known in French Horology with many patents

Category

Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Water Clock

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Ornately Painted Black and Gold Floor Clock with Water and Floral Decor

Sold

H 87 in W 23 in D 9 in

Swedish Ornately Painted Black and Gold Floor Clock with Water and Floral Decor

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Swedish clock, circa 1820-1830 painted black and gold. This exquisite 19th century clock features

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Water Clock

Materials

Wood

Exceptional and Rare Early 19th Century French Sunburst Clock

Sold

H 4.5 in Dm 27.5 in

Exceptional and Rare Early 19th Century French Sunburst Clock

Located in Round Top, TX

A very exceptional and rare early 19th century French water gilded sunburst clock. Beautifully hand

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Water Clock

Materials

Wood

End XIX Century Brass and Glass Hourglass Antique Time Measuring Instrument

Sold

H 7.9 in Dm 4.5 in

End XIX Century Brass and Glass Hourglass Antique Time Measuring Instrument

Located in Milan, IT

the more complex water clock. Various mechanisms were introduced by him and others to increase the

Category

1890s Antique Water Clock

Materials

Glass

19th Century Bacchus and Satyr Mantel Clock

Sold

H 12.6 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in

19th Century Bacchus and Satyr Mantel Clock

Located in Paris, FR

the clock features water-leaf decoration and sits on a rectangular base with four toupie feet. Marked

Category

1890s Antique Water Clock

Materials

Granite, Silver

Meissen Mantle Table Clock Allegory of Water Ernst August Leuteritz, circa 1880

Sold

H 18.89 in W 9.44 in D 7.08 in

Meissen Mantle Table Clock Allegory of Water Ernst August Leuteritz, circa 1880

By Ernst August Leuteritz

Located in Vienna, AT

Meissen stunning table clock: Sculptured Figurines = Cherubs / Cupids on top piece (Allegory of

Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Rococo Revival Antique Water Clock

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Silver Gilt, Glass & Enamel Inkstand Clock, Paris, France c. 1880

Sold

H 5.32 in W 7.68 in D 15.01 in

Antique French Silver Gilt, Glass & Enamel Inkstand Clock, Paris, France c. 1880

By E. Dreyfous

Located in London, GB

created to mirror a baroque or French formal garden, with the gilt & enamel clock in place of water

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Water Clock

Materials

Silver

French Water Gilded Sunburst Clock, circa 1890

Sold

H 34 in Dm 34 in L 34 in

French Water Gilded Sunburst Clock, circa 1890

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

until their last trip that they were able to purchase one. The stunning original hand-carved water

Category

19th Century French Antique Water Clock

Mystery Water Wheel Rolling Ball Gravity Driven Bronze Regulator Clock

Sold

H 23.5 in W 11.75 in D 9.13 in

Mystery Water Wheel Rolling Ball Gravity Driven Bronze Regulator Clock

Located in Danville, CA

Here we are offering a fantastic mystery Ferris wheel bearing ball driven crystal regulator clock

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Water Clock

Materials

Bronze

French Art Nouveau Enamel Table Clock with Water-Lilies Silver Mountings ca 1900

Sold

H 4.33 in W 2.55 in D 1.77 in

French Art Nouveau Enamel Table Clock with Water-Lilies Silver Mountings ca 1900

Located in Vienna, AT

Exquisite French enamel table clock from the period circa 1900 Metal case and movement partly

Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Water Clock

Materials

Sterling Silver

Empire Clock in representing a Horse and a Dog in Gilt Bronze, 19th Century

Sold

H 19.1 in W 11.26 in D 5.12 in

Empire Clock in representing a Horse and a Dog in Gilt Bronze, 19th Century

Located in NICE, FR

rectangular ormolu base decorated with a lintel of stylized water leaves. This clock has been entirely

Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Water Clock

Materials

Bronze

water clock & cover

Sold

H 27 in Dm 13.25 in

water clock & cover

Located in Hudson, NY

wonderful one of a kind clock designed to calibrate water depth marked: W.& L.E.GURLEY, TROY

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Water Clock

Materials

Brass, Iron, Tin

A Flanders Clock

Sold

H 18.5 in W 9.125 in D 5.5 in

A Flanders Clock

Located in Bronx, NY

of sailboats upon water. The sides of the clock are designed with matching panels. Framing the front

Category

19th Century French Antique Water Clock

Materials

Bronze

Five Framed 19th century Architects Drawings and Plans, Lunatic Asylum Interest

Sold

H 30.25 in W 43 in D 1.5 in

Five Framed 19th century Architects Drawings and Plans, Lunatic Asylum Interest

By Giles, Gough and Trollope Architects

Located in Bedford, Bedfordshire

with blue brick diapering giving a Tudor appearance. The diapering extended to the clock tower and

Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Water Clock

Materials

Archival Paper

People Also Browsed

Antique Japanese Koto Wakizashi Sword

$3,300

H 3 in W 2 in D 27.25 in

Antique Japanese Koto Wakizashi Sword

Located in Dallas, TX

Japanese Koto Wakizashi Sword Japan Ca. 1400-1600s Length: 24.25” Blade Total Length: 27.25 Nagasa: 18.5” Koto wakizashi, with wild midare (Soshu?) hamon, including wild boshi. Ha...

Category

16th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Water Clock

Materials

Steel

French Chess Theme of Ancient Egypt Plaster & Wood Restored, circa 1920

$4,183Sale Price|26% Off

H 3.15 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in

French Chess Theme of Ancient Egypt Plaster & Wood Restored, circa 1920

Located in Labrit, Landes

French chess game in the thematic of Ancient Egypt. The chess pieces are in painted and waxed plaster, the board is in wood and the is also a display shelf. Each piece is charaterful...

Category

1920s French Egyptian Revival Antique Water Clock

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Art Deco French Mantle Clock

$1,995

H 9.75 in W 14 in D 2.5 in

Art Deco French Mantle Clock

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Art Deco French mantle clock consisting of marble and aluminum. Clock measures 14" wide, 2.5" deep and 9.75" high.

Category

1930s French Art Deco Antique Water Clock

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Egyptian Mummy Mask, Late Period, ca. 700-30 B.C.

$15,000

H 10.75 in W 5 in D 3 in

Egyptian Mummy Mask, Late Period, ca. 700-30 B.C.

Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon

Carved hardwood mummy mask having a pink-brown painted ground, painted black eyes and brows. Wearing a black headband. Eyes and brows are restored. Scattered highpoint paint wear, ot...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Water Clock

Materials

Hardwood

Ancient Cedar Wood Sweet Refined Large Egyptian Mummy Mask

$1,750

H 13 in W 10.5 in D 3.5 in

Ancient Cedar Wood Sweet Refined Large Egyptian Mummy Mask

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Elegant ancient cedar wood sweet large Egyptian mummy mask, 13 Inches high. Soft weathered surface and great expression. Areas of chips, erosion and little bits missing, holes from i...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Tribal Antique Water Clock

Materials

Organic Material, Wood

French Art Deco Green Marble Clock

$9,550

H 9.84 in W 7.28 in D 4.33 in

French Art Deco Green Marble Clock

By Hour Lavigne

Located in Northampton, GB

Just Hour Lavigne Movement From our Accessories collection, we are delighted to offer this French Art Deco Green Marble Clock. The clock finished in solid green and black marble fea...

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Water Clock

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Art Deco 'Folies Bergeres' Large Hanging Wall Plaque, French

$2,114 / item

H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 1.19 in

Art Deco 'Folies Bergeres' Large Hanging Wall Plaque, French

Located in Devon, England

This is a super rare opportunity to acquire one of these beautifully reduced versions of the facade bas-relief of the Folies-Bergeres cabaret by Maurice Picaud aka Pico (1900-1977). ...

Category

Early 2000s French Art Deco Antique Water Clock

Materials

Plaster

Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet

$187,500

H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in

Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet

Located in Houston, TX

Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...

Category

19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Water Clock

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Woolly Rhinoceros Skull Fossil with Custom Walnut Base, Pleistocene

$165,000

H 52 in W 44 in D 16 in

Woolly Rhinoceros Skull Fossil with Custom Walnut Base, Pleistocene

Located in Tucson, AZ

This genuine woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) skull fossil represents one of the most iconic megafauna of the Pleistocene Ice Age. A rare example of a near-complete skull,...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Modern Antique Water Clock

Materials

Steel

French Egyptian Revival Carved Wood Figure of King Tutankamun

$1,750

H 40 in W 5 in D 5 in

French Egyptian Revival Carved Wood Figure of King Tutankamun

Located in Stamford, CT

A carved standing figure of King Tutankamun wearing the royal headdress topped by the double uraeus. This compelling carving depicts the slender boy king standing with arms crossed h...

Category

Early 20th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Water Clock

Materials

Wood

Late Bronze Age Sword from France with Golden Lustre

$75,000

H 27.96 in W 1.19 in D 3.94 in

Late Bronze Age Sword from France with Golden Lustre

Located in London, GB

This sleek and extremely well-preserved sword is an icon of warrior culture from the Late Bronze Age. Its finely incised decoration and near perfect form creates a timeless and elega...

Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Water Clock

Materials

Bronze

17th Century Carved Applewood Sculpture of the Lady of Sorrow

$2,555

H 14.18 in W 5.52 in D 4.34 in

17th Century Carved Applewood Sculpture of the Lady of Sorrow

Located in Hoddesdon, GB

A 17th-century carved applewood sculpture of the Lady of Sorrow is a representation often associated with Catholic icons, particularly depicting the Virgin Mary in moments of grief. ...

Category

17th Century French Baroque Antique Water Clock

Materials

Wood

Flemish 17th, Orpheus and Animals, Large Decorative Wall Old Master Painting, c. 1650

$202,049

H 57.68 in W 85.44 in

Flemish 17th, Orpheus and Animals, Large Decorative Wall Old Master Painting

Located in Greven, DE

Flemish school, 17th century Orpheus and the animals Oil on canvas, 146,5 x 217 cm Provenance: South German private collection. On an impressive, room-filling format, this painting ...

Category

17th Century Baroque Antique Water Clock

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock

$4,775

H 11.25 in W 15 in D 4.5 in

Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

Art Deco Mantel Clock Art Deco mantel clock house in a finely figured marble stepped case with applied Art Deco style brass mounts. Rectangular brass bezel opening to t...

Category

1920s French Art Deco Antique Water Clock

Materials

Marble

Pierre Auguste RenoirPierre Auguste Renoir Portrait de femme - Berthe Poret, 1862-1863

$1,800,000

H 27 in W 24 in D 2.5 in

Pierre Auguste Renoir Portrait de femme - Berthe Poret

By Pierre Auguste Renoir

Located in Los Angeles, CA

PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR (1841-1919) Portrait de femme - Berthe Poret bears signature (lower left) oil on canvas 17 15/16 x 14 3/4 in (45.5 x 37.4 cm) Painted between 1862-1863 Footn...

Category

1860s Antique Water Clock

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fossil Theropod Dinosaur Femur Bone

$6,818

H 26.78 in W 8.27 in D 5.91 in

Fossil Theropod Dinosaur Femur Bone

Located in Scorton, GB

This huge leg bone of a theropod dinosaur was a rare Dinosarian find by any standards. It was discovered in the desert regions of North Africa and has now been conserved, cleaned, an...

Category

15th Century and Earlier North African Prehistoric Antique Water Clock

Materials

Bronze

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Antique Water Clock For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal antique water clock for your home. Frequently made of metal, bronze and silver, every antique water clock was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique water clock — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. An antique water clock, designed in the Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Empire style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made antique water clock has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Gubelin, Ernst August Leuteritz and Le Roy are consistently popular.

How Much is a Antique Water Clock?

Prices for an antique water clock can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $4,281 and can go as high as $58,500, while the average can fetch as much as $7,000.

Finding the Right Decorative-objects for You

Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with antique and vintage decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style.

Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.

Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation: Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?

Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”

To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.