Skip to main content

French Mystery Clock

Exceptional French Three Graces Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Candelabra Suite
Exceptional French Three Graces Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Candelabra Suite

Exceptional French Three Graces Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Candelabra Suite

By Henry Dasson

Located in Roslyn, NY

Exceptional 19th century, French 'Three Graces' annular dial clock, bronze and marble clock, with

Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XVI More Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock

An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock

$22,640

H 21.26 in W 11.42 in D 4.73 in

An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock

By Breguet a Paris

Located in Amersham, GB

This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Rare Vintage French Style Mystery 8 Day Waterwheel Rolling Ball Industrial Clock
Rare Vintage French Style Mystery 8 Day Waterwheel Rolling Ball Industrial Clock

Rare Vintage French Style Mystery 8 Day Waterwheel Rolling Ball Industrial Clock

Located in Danville, CA

For your consideration is a mystery Water Wheel Industrial Ball Bearing Clock. It comes with an 8

Category

Late 20th Century Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Recent Sales

Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mystery Clock, France, 1880
Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mystery Clock, France, 1880

Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mystery Clock, France, 1880

Located in Chicago, IL

Rare French, gold bronze swinging arm clock mounted on an onyx column with gold bronze acorn finial

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Clocks

Materials

Onyx

Antique Conical or Mystery Clock, France, 1880
Antique Conical or Mystery Clock, France, 1880

Antique Conical or Mystery Clock, France, 1880

Unavailable

H 24 in W 12 in D 7.75 in

Antique Conical or Mystery Clock, France, 1880

Located in Chicago, IL

A gold bronze statue of a Grecian Woman, supported by a royal rouge marble clock. Gold bronze

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French swinger (mystery) clock by Auguste Moreau
French swinger (mystery) clock by Auguste Moreau

French swinger (mystery) clock by Auguste Moreau

Unavailable

H 38.19 in W 13.39 in D 17.72 in

French swinger (mystery) clock by Auguste Moreau

By Auguste Moreau

Located in HAARLEM, NL

griotte marble circular base. These imposing clocks were very much in demand during the great exhibition

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal, Bronze

French, 19th Century, Robert Houdin Mystery Clock
French, 19th Century, Robert Houdin Mystery Clock

French, 19th Century, Robert Houdin Mystery Clock

By Robert Houdin

Located in London, Nottinghill

(Robert Houdin 1805-1870) A very rare tall Houdin mystery clock from around the mid-19th century

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Rococo Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Very Important Exceptional Mystery Art Deco 8th Day Mantel Clock, circa 1931
Very Important Exceptional Mystery Art Deco 8th Day Mantel Clock, circa 1931

Very Important Exceptional Mystery Art Deco 8th Day Mantel Clock, circa 1931

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A very important exceptional Mystery Art Deco 8th day mantel clock with great history. The clock

Category

20th Century French Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

A. R. Guilmet Mystery Clock
A. R. Guilmet Mystery Clock

A. R. Guilmet Mystery Clock

Sold

H 24.5 in W 10.5 in D 8.75 in

A. R. Guilmet Mystery Clock

By Andre Romain Guilmet

Located in New Orleans, LA

This stunning French mystery clock by A.R. Guilmet is a delight to behold, combining captivating

Category

Antique 19th Century French Other Mantel Clocks

Materials

Slate, Bronze

Coral and Jade Koi Fish Mystery Clock
Coral and Jade Koi Fish Mystery Clock

Coral and Jade Koi Fish Mystery Clock

Sold

H 5.25 in W 6.5 in D 4.75 in

Coral and Jade Koi Fish Mystery Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

This Art Deco-period French mystery clock boasts a stunning design inspired by Eastern cultures and

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Coral, Jade

19th Century French Black Marble and Bronze Mystery Clock
19th Century French Black Marble and Bronze Mystery Clock

19th Century French Black Marble and Bronze Mystery Clock

By Samuel Marti

Located in New Orleans, LA

This rare and elegant 19th-century French mystery clock is crowned by a graceful Neoclassical

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

Etalage Reclame Mystery clock running nicely
Etalage Reclame Mystery clock running nicely

Etalage Reclame Mystery clock running nicely

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A stunning clock design by Etalage Reclame. It is mystery clock. It has two disks inside with ethe

Category

Vintage 1930s French Clocks

Materials

Metal

French Conical Pendulum Mystery Clock
French Conical Pendulum Mystery Clock

French Conical Pendulum Mystery Clock

Sold

H 36.25 in W 17 in D 11.25 in

French Conical Pendulum Mystery Clock

By Achille Brocot

Located in New Orleans, LA

A beautiful example of French horology at its finest, this conical pendulum mystery clock was

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Alabaster, Metal, Bronze

Mystery Clock by Robert Houdin
Mystery Clock by Robert Houdin

Mystery Clock by Robert Houdin

Sold

H 16 in W 7.5 in D 4.88 in

Mystery Clock by Robert Houdin

By Robert Houdin

Located in New Orleans, LA

An unquestionable horological rarity, this regal gilt bronze mystery clock is the work of Jean

Category

Antique 19th Century French Other Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Mystery Clock by Houdin
19th Century Mystery Clock by Houdin

19th Century Mystery Clock by Houdin

Sold

H 13.78 in W 5.32 in D 2.96 in

19th Century Mystery Clock by Houdin

By Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin

Located in London, GB

This is an exceptional and rare clock by the famous French magician and inventor of the 'mystery

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large 19th Century Bronzed Spelter Mystery Clock
Large 19th Century Bronzed Spelter Mystery Clock

Large 19th Century Bronzed Spelter Mystery Clock

By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality French bronzed Spelter mystery clock, depicting a classically draped women

Category

Antique 19th Century French More Clocks

Materials

Spelter

Exceptional French Three-Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Maiden Candelabra Suite
Exceptional French Three-Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Maiden Candelabra Suite

Exceptional French Three-Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Maiden Candelabra Suite

By Henry Dasson

Located in Roslyn, NY

Exceptional 19th century, French 'Three Graces' annular dial clock, bronze and marble clock, with

Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XVI More Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large Swinging Mystery Clock La Victoire by Émile Bruchon French, circa 1890
Large Swinging Mystery Clock La Victoire by Émile Bruchon French, circa 1890

Large Swinging Mystery Clock La Victoire by Émile Bruchon French, circa 1890

By Emile Bruchon

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

Standing at 3 1/2 ft in height this is the rare large version of the French swinging mystery clock

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau More Clocks

Materials

Spelter

Large Early 19 Century French Bronze Mystery Clock Retailed by M.I. Tobias
Large Early 19 Century French Bronze Mystery Clock Retailed by M.I. Tobias

Large Early 19 Century French Bronze Mystery Clock Retailed by M.I. Tobias

Located in New York, NY

Very fine quality and large Early 19 century French gilt bronze mystery clock retailed by M.I

Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Farcot or Carrier-Belleuse Conical Mystery Clock
Farcot or Carrier-Belleuse Conical Mystery Clock

Farcot or Carrier-Belleuse Conical Mystery Clock

By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, EUGÈNE FARCOT OF PARIS Also known as HENRY EUGÈNE ADRIEN FARCOT (1830-1896)

Located in New Orleans, LA

, the clock was crafted by two of France's most important artisans of the late 19th century, Eugéne

Category

Antique 19th Century French Other Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble

19th Century Mantle Clock with Pedestal Column Base Mystery Style Face Bronze
19th Century Mantle Clock with Pedestal Column Base Mystery Style Face Bronze

19th Century Mantle Clock with Pedestal Column Base Mystery Style Face Bronze

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

French pillar or column with original paint and bronze mounts A very lovely ornate clock, the clock

Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Rosewood Marquetry and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum, Henri Marc 1850
Rosewood Marquetry and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum, Henri Marc 1850

Rosewood Marquetry and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum, Henri Marc 1850

By Henri Marc, Paris 1

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

Rosewood and Ormolu Lyre clock with mystery pendulum French, circa 1850 Excellent condition

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Fine Antique Cobalt Blue Porcelain and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum
Fine Antique Cobalt Blue Porcelain and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum

Fine Antique Cobalt Blue Porcelain and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

bezel surrounding the clock forms the mystery pendulum, as the clock ticks the jeweled bezel moves from

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Glass Domed Gilt Bronze French Mystery Clock with a Swinging Putto
19th Century Glass Domed Gilt Bronze French Mystery Clock with a Swinging Putto

19th Century Glass Domed Gilt Bronze French Mystery Clock with a Swinging Putto

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A late 19th century French swinging putto ‘mystery’ clock. The clock drum has a gilded bronze bezel

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Cartier Prism Mystery Clock
Cartier Prism Mystery Clock

Cartier Prism Mystery Clock

Sold

H 4 in W 3.5 in D 3 in

Cartier Prism Mystery Clock

By Cartier

Located in New Orleans, LA

This mystery clock by Cartier, known as a “prism” clock, is a work of exceptional engineering and

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Quartz

Cartier Prism Mystery Clock
Cartier Prism Mystery Clock

Cartier Prism Mystery Clock

Sold

H 4 in W 3.5 in D 3 in

Cartier Prism Mystery Clock

By Cartier

Located in New Orleans, LA

A work of exceptional engineering and stylish artistry, this mystery clock by Cartier is known as a

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Quartz, Silver Plate

Mystery Clock
Mystery Clock

Mystery Clock

Sold

H 27.56 in Dm 7.09 in

Mystery Clock

Located in Paradise Point, Queensland

French spelter mystery clock, Diana the huntress,

Category

Vintage 1910s French Art Nouveau Mantel Clocks

Materials

Spelter

Elephant mystery swinger clock
Elephant mystery swinger clock

Elephant mystery swinger clock

Sold

H 11 in W 10 in D 5 in

Elephant mystery swinger clock

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A bronzed elephant on oval wood base with upraised trunk holding the swinging clock mechanism

Category

20th Century French Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Guilmet , Mystery Clock with Conical Pendulum, Paris, 1880
Guilmet , Mystery Clock with Conical Pendulum, Paris, 1880

Guilmet , Mystery Clock with Conical Pendulum, Paris, 1880

Located in Mexico City, D.F.

Mystery clock by Andre Romain Guilmet, circa 1880, three legs compass on world clock.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Industrial Clocks

Materials

Nickel, Brass

A Fine Robert-Houdin 19th Century Gilt Bronze Striking Mystery Clock
A Fine Robert-Houdin 19th Century Gilt Bronze Striking Mystery Clock

A Fine Robert-Houdin 19th Century Gilt Bronze Striking Mystery Clock

Located in London, Nottinghill

A fine and rare patinated and gilt bronze mystery clock by Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, Paris, mid

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal

Rare Bronzed Late 19th Century Spelter Mystery Striking Clock by Samuel Marti
Rare Bronzed Late 19th Century Spelter Mystery Striking Clock by Samuel Marti

Rare Bronzed Late 19th Century Spelter Mystery Striking Clock by Samuel Marti

Located in London, Nottinghill

This stunning bell striking movement by S. Marti has a Brocot escapement and is attached to a complex counter-balanced pendulum mounted to the side and connected to the child above, ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Mantel Clocks

People Also Browsed

Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period
Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period

Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period

Located in San Francisco, CA

An elaborate and finely detailed carved wood, and gold lacquered Shibayama cabinet (Chigaidansu). Having beautifully applied semi-precious stone and mother of pearl decoration of flo...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Fine P.E. Guerin Louis XVI Garland Rosette Fluted Legs Gilt Bronze Coffee Table
Fine P.E. Guerin Louis XVI Garland Rosette Fluted Legs Gilt Bronze Coffee Table

Fine P.E. Guerin Louis XVI Garland Rosette Fluted Legs Gilt Bronze Coffee Table

By P. E. Guerin

Located in Roslyn, NY

A fine gilt bronze P.E. Guerin Louis XVI style with ormolu garlands & rosettes over fluted legs glass top coffee / cocktail table 41 3/8"L x 27 1/2"W x 16 1/4"H.

Category

20th Century Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze

Gilded Peacock Sculpture in Porcelain and Crystal
Gilded Peacock Sculpture in Porcelain and Crystal

Gilded Peacock Sculpture in Porcelain and Crystal

$84,416

H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 13.39 in

Gilded Peacock Sculpture in Porcelain and Crystal

Located in Paris, FR

Sculpture gilded peacock handmade in precious porcelain one by one, feather by feather. Each feather is unique. Made with shiny porcelain, hand-painted with 24-karat gold and preciou...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass

Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Lamp on Circular Fluted Base, New York. Circa 1920
Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Lamp on Circular Fluted Base, New York. Circa 1920

Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Lamp on Circular Fluted Base, New York. Circa 1920

By Tiffany Studios

Located in Charleston, SC

Tiffany Studios bronze desk lamp with original iridescent shade, scrolled bulbous harp, and resting on circular fluted base with the original five ball feet. Shade is etched LCT on r...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze, Wire

Decorative Sculpture Ornament Rose Blossom Solid Block Rose Quartz Hand Carved
Decorative Sculpture Ornament Rose Blossom Solid Block Rose Quartz Hand Carved

Decorative Sculpture Ornament Rose Blossom Solid Block Rose Quartz Hand Carved

By Barberini & Gunnell

Located in Ancona, Marche

Rose blossom sculpted entirely by hand starting from a solid block of rare rose quartz. Dimensions: approximately D 12 x H 12 cm. Available in different marbles, onyx and quartzite...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Rose Quartz

Rene Lalique Glass Chrysis Car Mascot
Rene Lalique Glass Chrysis Car Mascot

Rene Lalique Glass Chrysis Car Mascot

$4,785

H 5.31 in W 5.91 in D 2.68 in

Rene Lalique Glass Chrysis Car Mascot

By René Lalique

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Rene Lalique clear and frosted glass 'Chrysis' car mascot (radiator cap). Features a naked female figure, kneeling, with her head thrown back. In ancient Greece, Chrysis was the prie...

Category

Vintage 1930s Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Japanese Lacquer and Cinnabar "Samurai" Cabinet, Inaba Family, Edo Period
Japanese Lacquer and Cinnabar "Samurai" Cabinet, Inaba Family, Edo Period

Japanese Lacquer and Cinnabar "Samurai" Cabinet, Inaba Family, Edo Period

Located in Troy, NY

Exceptionally large and rare lacquer cabinet. According to the heraldry, visible on the headgear in one of the panels, it was made for the Inaba family, a high ranking Daimyo family,...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Bronze

Jules Leleu, Large Lacquered Walnut Cabinet, France, 1933
Jules Leleu, Large Lacquered Walnut Cabinet, France, 1933

Jules Leleu, Large Lacquered Walnut Cabinet, France, 1933

$225,000

H 68.25 in W 108.25 in D 17.5 in

Jules Leleu, Large Lacquered Walnut Cabinet, France, 1933

By Jules Leleu

Located in New York, NY

Unique and important Art Deco four-door cabinet in walnut with lacquered doors and nickel-plated details. Lacquer work by Katsu Hamanaka (1895-1982). Provenance: This cabinet w...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cabinets

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Bronze Art Noveau Style Figural Mermaid Table Lamp with a Conch Shell Lamp Shade
Bronze Art Noveau Style Figural Mermaid Table Lamp with a Conch Shell Lamp Shade

Bronze Art Noveau Style Figural Mermaid Table Lamp with a Conch Shell Lamp Shade

By Tiffany Studios

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Excellent rendition of a Tiffany style lamp, bronze with a conch shell shade. Beautifully cast with a deep bronze patina. In cord switch with a dimmer. Truly a special lamp.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Large Early Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Model of a Prancing Horse, TL Tested
Large Early Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Model of a Prancing Horse, TL Tested

Large Early Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Model of a Prancing Horse, TL Tested

Located in Austin, TX

A magnificent and large early Tang dynasty (618-906 AD) model of a prancing or dancing horse, circa 7th century. The majestic animal is caught mid-motion, one leg raised, head grace...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Anello Venetian Glass Mirror
Anello Venetian Glass Mirror

Anello Venetian Glass Mirror

$3,295 / item

H 24.41 in W 24.41 in D 2.37 in

Anello Venetian Glass Mirror

By Ongaro e Fuga

Located in Milan, IT

Golden Murano glass rings make up the frame of this graceful round mirror by Ongaro e Fuga. The décor is welded to the wood base panel thanks to detailed glass flowers joining each o...

Category

2010s Italian Other Wall Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Glass

Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock
Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock

Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock

Located in Danville, CA

Large English Style Cathedral Crown Escapement Fusee Striking Skeleton Clock Here is a very nice looking English style Cathedral form skeleton clock. It sits on a black base and pro...

Category

Late 20th Century Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Bronze Dolphin Feet Green Marble Top Side Coffee Cocktail Table, 1980s Belgium
Bronze Dolphin Feet Green Marble Top Side Coffee Cocktail Table, 1980s Belgium

Bronze Dolphin Feet Green Marble Top Side Coffee Cocktail Table, 1980s Belgium

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Offered is a 1980s Cocktail Coffee Table gilt bronze Koi or Dolphin Base Organic Design green marble Top nice for a Palm Beach house. This stylish and chic Hollywood Regency inspired...

Category

Vintage 1980s Belgian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Slate, Marble, Bronze

Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage
Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage

Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage

$19,850

H 6 in W 12 in D 9 in

Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage

Located in New Orleans, LA

A work of extraordinary craftsmanship, this exquisite English vanity case is as much an item of luxury as it is of necessity. Known as a nécessaire de voyage, the case features a lux...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Velvet, Glass, Wood

French Napoleon III Black Carved Ebonized Bed with Cherubs
French Napoleon III Black Carved Ebonized Bed with Cherubs

French Napoleon III Black Carved Ebonized Bed with Cherubs

Located in Miami, FL

Queen-size bed with an impressive Renaissance-style headboard and footboard, crafted from beautiful walnut wood. The bed has a fabulous large heavily carved cherub This original Ital...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Napoleon III Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Bedroom Set Osvaldo Borsani manner, Birch and Walnut Burl Period, 1930s
Art Deco Bedroom Set Osvaldo Borsani manner, Birch and Walnut Burl Period, 1930s

Art Deco Bedroom Set Osvaldo Borsani manner, Birch and Walnut Burl Period, 1930s

By Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Code FR89 Art Decò bedroom set Osvaldo Borsani manner -Atelier di Varedo- Beautiful single room Art Deco birch burl and massive walnut. Dresser-wardrobe with four large drawers,...

Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "French Mystery Clock", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

French Mystery Clock For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the French mystery clock you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each French mystery clock for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, stone and bronze. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer French mystery clock, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right French mystery clock, those designed in Art Deco, Louis XVI and Neoclassical styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made French mystery clock over the years, but those crafted by Cartier, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and Andre Romain Guilmet are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a French Mystery Clock?

Prices for a French mystery clock start at $850 and top out at $745,000 with the average selling for $25,542.

Finding the Right Clocks for You

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.

Questions About French Mystery Clock
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    How you adjust a French mantel clock depends on its design. In many antique clocks, there is a winding slot that says R for Retard on one side and A for Advance on the other. If you wish to make the clock faster, you turn the key toward the R. To slow down the clock, turn the key in the opposite direction toward the A. Find a large collection of French mantel clocks on 1stDibs.