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French Novelty Clock

Late 19th Century French Novelty ‘Quarterdeck’ Mantel Clock by Guilmet, Paris
Late 19th Century French Novelty ‘Quarterdeck’ Mantel Clock by Guilmet, Paris

Late 19th Century French Novelty ‘Quarterdeck’ Mantel Clock by Guilmet, Paris

By Andre Romain Guilmet

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A late 19th century French gilt-brass and steel novelty ‘quarterdeck’ mantel clock by Guilmet, Paris, the eight-day gong striking movement with anchor escapement, circular gilt Roman...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

A 19th Century Novelty Desk Compendium in the form of a Davy Lamp By Guilmet
A 19th Century Novelty Desk Compendium in the form of a Davy Lamp By Guilmet

A 19th Century Novelty Desk Compendium in the form of a Davy Lamp By Guilmet

By Andre Romain Guilmet

Located in Amersham, GB

A 19th century novelty desk compendium in the form of a davy lamp housing an eight day timepiece and aneroid barometer and a thermometer surmounted by a glazed cylindrical chamber wi...

Category

Antique 1890s French Industrial Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Steel

Recent Sales

19th Century French Steam Clock
19th Century French Steam Clock

19th Century French Steam Clock

Unavailable

H 4.73 in W 8.27 in D 4.34 in

19th Century French Steam Clock

Located in Bransby, GB

French 19th century novelty clock and barometer in the form of a Watt types steam governor.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Edwardian Novelty Gilt Brass & Nickel Plated Stirrup Clock
Edwardian Novelty Gilt Brass & Nickel Plated Stirrup Clock

Edwardian Novelty Gilt Brass & Nickel Plated Stirrup Clock

By France"

Located in Dereham, GB

Edwardian Novelty Gilt Brass & Nickel Plated Stirrup clock Nickel Plated Stirrup Supporting Gilt Horse shoe frame with buckle detail at top, Cream enamel face, gilt detail in centr...

Category

20th Century English Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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Brass

19th Century French Marble and Bronze Antique Bicycle Novelty Clock
19th Century French Marble and Bronze Antique Bicycle Novelty Clock

19th Century French Marble and Bronze Antique Bicycle Novelty Clock

By Henry Marc

Located in London, Nottinghill

A French marble and bronze antique clock with man and bicycle also in bronze. Signed 'Henry Marc a Paris' on the white enamel dial with Roman numerals. This lovely piece has two wind...

Category

Antique 1880s European French Provincial Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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19th Century French Classical Ormolu Mantel Clock

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A very pleasing early 19th century French gilded ormolu mantel clock, have a classical maiden standing in front of a mirror, with a pedestal supporting a vase of flowers. The white e...

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By James Mix

Located in Charleston, SC

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$829

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Located in Berlin, DE

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French Novelty Clock For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the French novelty clock you’re looking for. Each French novelty clock for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, bronze and brass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer French novelty clock, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A French novelty clock is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Art Nouveau, Louis XVI and Victorian styles are sought with frequency. A well-made French novelty clock has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by François Linke, Andre Romain Guilmet and Elkington & Co. are consistently popular.

How Much is a French Novelty Clock?

The average selling price for a French novelty clock at 1stDibs is $18,477, while they’re typically $1,200 on the low end and $105,496 for the highest priced.

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 Novelty 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.