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 adjust a French mantel clock?

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.

French Pillar Clock

Antique Regulator Clocks

Bronze Pillars

Antique Pillars

Corinthian Pillar

Mantle Clock Bronze Marble

Pendulum Sculpture

Pendulum Clock Movement

Pendulum Art

French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

$4,656

H 14.75 in W 7.25 in D 3.5 in

French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

French ormolu and white marble pillar clock with ormolu mounts surmounted by an ornate finial with and standing on four gilded bun feet.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock

$8,559

H 16 in W 8.5 in D 3.25 in

French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

A Directoire Ormolu with black marble French pillar clock, three and a half inch enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ‘Viven Fils a Epernay’ with chased gilt bezel.

Category

Antique 1790s French Directoire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Ormolu Bronze Case Portico Pillar Mantel Clock with Double Swan

$3,200

H 19 in W 9.5 in D 5.25 in

Antique French Ormolu Bronze Case Portico Pillar Mantel Clock with Double Swan

Located in Danville, CA

1880 Antique French Ormolu Bronze Case Portico Pillar Mantel Clock w Double Swan MOVEMENT: 8 day wind up mechanism FUNCTION: time with half hour and hour striking SIZE: 19"H...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Recent Sales

Empire four pillar mantel clock by Dieudonné Kinable

Unavailable

H 20.08 in W 11.23 in D 7.49 in

Empire four pillar mantel clock by Dieudonné Kinable

By Dieudonné Kinable

Located in HAARLEM, NL

An extremely high quality early Empire four pillar table precision regulator mantel clock. This hight quality clock is made by the famous clock maker Dieudonné Kinable, circa 1800. Q...

Category

Antique Early 1800s French Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

High Quality Early Empire Four Pillar Mantel Clock by Dieudonné Kinable

Unavailable

H 20.08 in W 11.23 in D 7.49 in

High Quality Early Empire Four Pillar Mantel Clock by Dieudonné Kinable

By Dieudonné Kinable

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

An extremely high quality early Empire four pillar table precision regulator mantel clock. This high quality clock is made by the famous clock maker Dieudonné Kinable, circa 1800. Qu...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Marble Corinthian Pillar Mantle Clock with Bronzed Figures Ormolu Mounts

Sold

H 16.15 in W 10.63 in D 4.73 in

Vintage Marble Corinthian Pillar Mantle Clock with Bronzed Figures Ormolu Mounts

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this nice vintage marble Corinthian pillared mantle clock with bronzed figures and ormolu mounts A very lovely ornate clock, the movement has be...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French French Provincial Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage Marble Pillared Clock with Working Pendulum Movement Nautical Theme

Sold

H 15.36 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in

Vintage Marble Pillared Clock with Working Pendulum Movement Nautical Theme

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this nice vintage marble pillared mantle clock with the nautical theme A very lovely ornate clock, the movement has been replaced with a modern...

Category

20th Century French Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Marble

French Four Pillar Marble Clock

Sold

H 10.5 in Dm 6.25 in

French Four Pillar Marble Clock

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

French Four Pillar Marble Clock

Category

Antique 19th Century French Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass

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Late 18th Century Louis XVI Period Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock with Candelabras

$4,975

H 16.54 in W 8.27 in D 5.12 in

Late 18th Century Louis XVI Period Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock with Candelabras

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

A finely bronze fire-gilded ormolu mantel clock set with matching candelabras. Rich ornate with typical Louis XVI mounts, floral garlands, scrolls, ribbons and bow. The case is made ...

Category

Antique 1770s French Louis XVI Mantel Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel

Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century

$1,540

H 19.69 in W 10.24 in D 5.91 in

Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century

By Empire Furniture

Located in Madrid, ES

Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century 50cm x 26cm x 15cm good condition

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique 19th century French gold gilt Louis Philippe mirror with ornate crest

$4,520Sale Price|20% Off

H 45.67 in W 27.56 in D 5.91 in

Antique 19th century French gold gilt Louis Philippe mirror with ornate crest

Located in Casteren, NL

This stunning antique French mirror was crafted in the distinctive Louis Philippe style, which was popular between 1830 and 1870. While this style is generally known for its simplici...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Mantel Mirrors and Firepl...

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

$3,250

H 18.5 in W 7.13 in D 4.75 in

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

Located in High Point, NC

19th century beautifully hand crafter cathedral clock in gilt bronze. This is a magnificent example of 19th century French craftsmanship. There are many beautiful details to this p...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Henri Picard & Fedinand Barbedienne

$46,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 27.25 in W 22.5 in D 27.25 in

Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Henri Picard & Fedinand Barbedienne

By F. Barbedienne Foundry

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Very Fine French 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock, Horloge à Poser, by Henri Picard and Fedinand Barbedienne - ‘F. Barbédienne & Cie. / A Paris’, after the model by É...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Fine 19th Century French Neo-Gothic Gilt Metal Cathedral Church Reliquary Pair

$6,500 / set

H 14.75 in W 6.75 in D 6.75 in

Fine 19th Century French Neo-Gothic Gilt Metal Cathedral Church Reliquary Pair

Located in Forney, TX

A stunning pair of very fine quality French Neo-Gothic gilt metal church reliquaries. circa 1860s Most impressive objets d’art, born in France in the second half of the 19th century...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Gothic Revival Religious Items

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Empire Portal Clock, Mahogany and Bronze, France, Early 19th Century

$3,601Sale Price|20% Off

H 21.26 in W 11.42 in D 6.89 in

Empire Portal Clock, Mahogany and Bronze, France, Early 19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Portal clock on a rectangular, stepped base in mahogany veneered with small bun feet. The stepped architrave is supported by four smooth columns, the capitals and bases are in fire-g...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Palatial Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Vitrine by François Linke

$175,000

H 108 in W 96 in D 24 in

Palatial Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Vitrine by François Linke

By François Linke

Located in Long Island City, NY

A palatial and superb early 20th century gilt bronze Mounted Louis XVI style Mahogany Vitrine by François Linke François Linke The arched top with scrolled corners and centered by ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Vitrines

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Ormolu-Mounted Commode

$58,450Sale Price|22% Off

H 36.25 in W 70.38 in D 25.88 in

French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Ormolu-Mounted Commode

By Léon Kann

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A fine French palatial 19th-20th century Louis XVI style mahogany and ormolu-mounted "Marie Antoinette Style" medallion commode with a Fleur de Pêche marble top, after a model by Ben...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Nineteenth Century Gilt Bronze Candelabra Pair, French or Russian

$71,083 / set

H 40.95 in Dm 17.72 in

Nineteenth Century Gilt Bronze Candelabra Pair, French or Russian

Located in Milano, IT

Pair of thirteen-flame candelabra France or Russia Second quarter of 19th century Cast, chiseled and gilt bronze Height 40.95 in (cm 104), diameter 17,7 in (cm 45) 97 lb (44 kg) Sta...

Category

Antique 1830s French Neoclassical Candelabras

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$8,902

H 18.9 in W 14.57 in D 7.88 in

Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

The combination of sumptuous, lustrous ormolu and finely decorated Sevres style porcelain makes this mantel clock an exceptional piece. Built in France and retailed by the prestigiou...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock

$550,000

H 37 in W 22 in D 14 in

Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock

By Winterhalder and Hofmeier

Located in Danville, CA

Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock An important, exhibition quality ormolu bronze bracket clock of massive proportions, the case decorated...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Sèvres Style Lidded Vases

$9,312 / set

H 20.48 in W 11.82 in D 7.88 in

Pair of 19th Century Sèvres Style Lidded Vases

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A fine quality pair of 19th century French Louis XVI style Sèvres style lidded vases, each with turquoise ground, floral decoration and of twisted form. Wonderful scrolling gilded or...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Very fine Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted marquetry commode

$47,934

H 37.6 in W 63.98 in D 23.23 in

Very fine Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted marquetry commode

By Jean-Henri Riesener

Located in London, GB

Very fine Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted marquetry commode French, Early 20th Century Height 95cm, width 162cm, depth 59cm After an important model by Jean-Henri Riesener (French, 1...

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair French 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Urn Table Lamps

$12,950Sale Price / set|31% Off

H 26 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in

Pair French 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Urn Table Lamps

By Pierre-Philippe Thomire

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A very fine pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style patinated-bronze and gilt-bronze Mounted Allegorical covered Urn vases lamps in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomir...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Commode after Benneman

$94,391

H 36.62 in W 70.48 in D 27.17 in

Antique French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Commode after Benneman

Located in London, GB

Antique French Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted commode after Benneman French, Early 20th Century Height 93cm, width 179cm, depth 69cm This outstanding commode à vanteaux is after a ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Decorative Objects Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Decorative Objects

19th Century Decorative Objects

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European Decorative Objects

Decorative Objects on Sale

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French Pillar Clock For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the French pillar clock you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A French pillar clock — often made from metal, stone and ormolu — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a French pillar clock — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right French pillar clock, those designed in Louis XVI, Empire and Victorian styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made French pillar clock over the years, but those crafted by Japy Frères, Samuel Marti and A.D. Mougin are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a French Pillar Clock?

Prices for a French pillar clock can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $695 and can go as high as $270,442, while the average can fetch as much as $7,254.

Finding the Right Mantel-clocks for You

Personal time-telling devices may have migrated from our pockets to our wrists and finally onto our phones, but despite the convenience of a handheld digital timekeeper, nothing can beat well-made vintage, new and antique mantel clocks.

Invented by clockmakers in France and popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries, these practical yet ornate pieces were typically displayed on top of fireplaces or desks. While the most common mantel clocks were created in the traditional tambour style, which features a wide base that flares into an upright drum- or camelback-shaped case, modern clockmakers and furniture designers have experimented with their own ideas for these decorative objects over the years, introducing different forms and working with unconventional materials. A collection of whimsical, monochromatic handmade mantel clocks crafted by Dutch designer Kiki van Eijk, called Floating Frames, for example, features minimalist frames of anodized wire and ceramic clockfaces.

When shopping for an antique, vintage or new mantel clock, don’t be afraid to branch out. Wood mantel clocks of any era will bring a classic, elegant allure to the shelving in your living room or the bookcase in your bedroom, while Empire-style mantel clocks will comparatively boast eye-catching gilt bronze and pronounced sculptural attributes. Some Art Deco mantel clocks will feature an integration of marble or glass and will likely be marked by the decorative embellishments associated with that particular furniture style.

There’s just something about cool clocks, right? Spend your time with an extraordinary collection of mantel clocks on 1stDibs today.

Questions About French Pillar Clock

How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?
1 Answer
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.
How do I adjust a French mantel clock?
1 Answer
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.