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The clock-making company Raingo Frères built some of the most remarkable timepieces of the 19th century. Best known for its ornate mantel clocks, the company also masterfully crafted other works, such as candelabras and sculptures. Modeled on Renaissance, Byzantine and Empire styles, the company’s gilded garniture is some of the most recognizable artistic work of the 19th century. It displays the elaborate majesty prevalent in aristocratic and royal homes of the period. 

Belgian watchmaker and metalworker Zacharie Raingo was the son of a watchmaker, and he took up the trade in his youth. He lived and worked in Belgium until 1813, when he relocated to Paris. During his time in Belgium, Raingo was inspired by Antide Janvier and developed his own planetary pendulum. In 1810, he patented an astronomical clock, a rotating spherical mechanism designed to emulate the behavior of celestial bodies.

In 1823, he founded Raingo Frères with his four sons, Adolphe, Charles, Denis and Dorsant. Established as both an industrial and commercial venture, the company quickly gained notoriety for its bronze work in addition to its fame as a clockmaker. It created works for an array of nobility and royalty, like the Duke of Chartres, King George V of England and Emperor Napoleon III of France, whose collection is now at the Louvre museum in Paris.

The company exhibited its works in the 1867, 1878 and 1889 World’s Fairs in Paris, winning numerous prizes, including a gold medal in 1889. Many museums and private collections boast works by Raingo Frères, including the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris and the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels.

On 1stDibs, find incredible wall clocks, mantel clocks, vases and more by Raingo Frères.

Whether burnished or lacquered, antique, new and vintage brass furniture can elevate a room.

From traditional spaces that use brass as an accent — by way of brass dining chairs or brass pendant lights — to contemporary rooms that embrace bold brass decor, there are many ways to incorporate the golden-hued metal.

“I find mixed metals to be a very updated approach, as opposed to the old days, when it was all shiny brass of dulled-out silver tones,” says interior designer Drew McGukin. “I especially love working with brass and blackened steel for added warmth and tonality. To me, aged brass is complementary across many design styles and can trend contemporary or traditional when pushed either way.”

He proves his point in a San Francisco entryway, where a Lindsey Adelman light fixture hangs above a limited-edition table and stools by Kelly Wearstler — also an enthusiast of juxtapositions — all providing bronze accents. The walls were hand-painted by artist Caroline Lizarraga and the ombré stair runner is by DMc.

West Coast designer Catherine Kwong chose a sleek brass and lacquered-parchment credenza by Scala Luxury to fit this San Francisco apartment. “The design of this sideboard is reminiscent of work by French modernist Jean Prouvé. The brass font imbues the space with warmth and the round ‘portholes’ provide an arresting geometric element.”

Find antique, new and vintage brass tables, case pieces and other furnishings now on 1stDibs.

A sophisticated clock design, whether it’s a desk clock, mantel clock or large wall clock for your living room, is a decorative 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. Given the versatility of these treasured fixtures — they’ve long been made in a range of shapes, sizes and styles — a clock can prove integral to your own particular interior decor.

Antique and vintage clocks can whisk us back to the 18th and 19th centuries. When most people think of antique clocks, they imagine an Art Deco Bakelite tabletop clock or wall clock, named for the revolutionary synthetic plastic, Bakelite, of which they’re made, or a stately antique grandfather clock. But the art of clock-making goes way back, transcending continents and encompassing an entire range of design styles and technologies. In short, there are many kinds of clocks depending on your needs.

A variety of wall clocks can be found on 1stDibs. A large antique hand-carved walnut wall clock is best suited to a big room and a flat background given what will likely be outwardly sculptural features, while Georgian grandfather clocks, or longcase clocks, will help welcome rainswept guests into your entryway or foyer. An interactive cuckoo clock, large or small, is guaranteed to bring outsize personality to your living room or dining room. For conversation pieces of a similar breed, mid-century modern enthusiasts go for the curious Ball clock, the first of more than 150 clock models conceived in the studio of legendary architect and designer George Nelson. 

Minimalist contemporary clocks and books pair nicely on a shelf, but an eye-catching vintage mantel clock can add balance to your home library while drawing attention to your art and design books and other decorative objects. Ormolu clocks dating from the Louis XVI period, designed in the neoclassical style, are often profusely ornate, featuring architectural flourishes and rich naturalistic details. Rococo-style mantel clocks of Meissen porcelain or porcelain originating from manufacturers in cities such as Limoges, France, during the 18th and 19th centuries, exude an air of imperial elegance on your shelves or side tables and can help give your desk a 19th-century upgrade.

On 1stDibs, find a range of extraordinary antique and vintage clocks today.