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 Renaissance Clock

Brass Clock Set

Renaissance Bronze

Hes Clock

Paris Bronze Mantel Clocks

Carved Walnut Clock

Deniere A Paris

Gilt Bronze Figural Clock

Deniere Bronze

Large French Renaissance Revival Bronze Mounted Carved Walnut Mantel Clock

$18,600

H 22 in W 37 in D 9 in

Large French Renaissance Revival Bronze Mounted Carved Walnut Mantel Clock

Located in Tarzana, CA

A magnificent 19th century French Renaissance Revival patinated bronze mounted carved walnut "Day

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Renaissance Revival Enamel and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$20,403

H 20.87 in W 11.42 in D 8.67 in

Renaissance Revival Enamel and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

Renaissance Revival enamel and gilt bronze mantel clock French, late 19th century Size: Height

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mantel Clock

$20,403

H 20.87 in W 11.03 in D 9.06 in

Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

Renaissance style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

A Monumental Renaissance Revival Clock Garniture, Attributed to Feuchère

$251,641

H 41.74 in W 22.84 in D 14.97 in

A Monumental Renaissance Revival Clock Garniture, Attributed to Feuchère

Located in Brighton, West Sussex

the Feuchère family. The clock movement by Hémon. In the Renaissance revival style. Comprising a

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Gilt Bronze Figural Antique Clock w Renaissance Poet early 19th century

$900

H 14.6 in W 11 in D 3.5 in

French Gilt Bronze Figural Antique Clock w Renaissance Poet early 19th century

Located in Sweden, SE

Fine and elegant work of gold-plated bronze as mantel clock in the romantic style. Guilloche

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Neoclassical Mantel Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze

Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Antique French Clock by Le Roy & Fils

$13,262

H 21 in W 11 in D 8.25 in

Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Antique French Clock by Le Roy & Fils

By Le Roy, Vincenti et Cie

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

A magnificent Renaissance style clock by the renown Parisian clockmaking firm of Le Roy &Fils

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Large French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Wall Clock with Religious Inscriptions

$10,201

H 36.23 in W 16.54 in D 7.49 in

Large French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Wall Clock with Religious Inscriptions

Located in London, GB

This large, gilt bronze wall clock is a magnificent and highly unusual piece. At the centre of the

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Wall Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronzre, Marble, and Ormolu Garniture Set

$15,800

H 20 in W 16.75 in D 7 in

French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronzre, Marble, and Ormolu Garniture Set

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A striking and very high quality French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Griotte marble

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

$11,561 / set

H 16.54 in W 8.27 in D 6.7 in

Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

Located in London, GB

France in circa 1870 in a wonderful Renaissance Revival style. The set has been crafted from gilt bronze

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Set clock with Marie de Bourgogne going falcon hunting

$56,241

H 29.93 in W 18.51 in D 9.06 in

Set clock with Marie de Bourgogne going falcon hunting

By Jean-Auguste Barre

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

This important silvered bronze, gilded bronze and white Statuary marble clock set was probably made

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rare Bronze & Black Marble Clock Set by Deniere A Paris the Philosopher, c.1860

$20,720

H 22 in W 17 in D 8.5 in

Rare Bronze & Black Marble Clock Set by Deniere A Paris the Philosopher, c.1860

By Maison Deniere

Located in Lisse, NL

Rare & fabulous Antique Napoleon lll clock garniture with incredible quality bronze sculptures

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Sèvres Cobalt Blue Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Bronze Garniture, Ca. 1850's

$7,900

H 12.75 in W 12 in D 7.25 in

Sèvres Cobalt Blue Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Bronze Garniture, Ca. 1850's

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in New York, NY

This rare Renaissance Revival garniture, consisting of a clock and pair of boxes in form of

Category

Antique 1850s French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Porcelain

Recent Sales

Clock by Deniere A Paris and Cailleaux Antique Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock

Unavailable

H 23.63 in W 17.72 in D 9.85 in

Clock by Deniere A Paris and Cailleaux Antique Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock

By Maison Deniere

Located in Vilnius, LT

clocks and candelabra for the French palaces, most notably Versailles and the Grand Trianon. Denière

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rare Clock with "Rustic Figulines" by Thomas Victor Sergent

Unavailable

H 25.6 in W 15.36 in D 5.91 in

Rare Clock with "Rustic Figulines" by Thomas Victor Sergent

By Thomas Victor Sergent

Located in Paris, FR

This beautiful earthenware clock alludes to the Transition and Louis XVI gilt bronze models of the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Wall Clocks

Materials

Earthenware

19th Century Renaissance Wall Clock

Sold

H 32.5 in W 23.5 in D 6.5 in

19th Century Renaissance Wall Clock

Located in Dallas, TX

-the-Earth themes, this Antique Renaissance Wall Clock survives with its original hand-painted

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Wall Clocks

Materials

Oak

Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Renaissance Style Mantel Clock

Sold

H 28.5 in W 15 in D 10.5 in

Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Renaissance Style Mantel Clock

Located in New York, NY

An Important Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Renaissance Style Mantel Clock, with figures on

Category

Antique 19th Century French Mantel Clocks

19th Century Bronze Renaissance Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock

Sold

H 21 in W 11 in D 6 in

19th Century Bronze Renaissance Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock

Located in Dallas, TX

Cast from solid bronze in the timeless Renaissance style, this impressive 19th century mantel clock

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Gilt Mantle Clock with Sevres Plaques

Sold

H 14.75 in W 15 in D 5.25 in

19th Century French Gilt Mantle Clock with Sevres Plaques

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Ornate French gilt clock, circa 1890 Decorated with Sèvres plaques and roundels. Two losses

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Waterfall Decoration

Sold

H 11.42 in W 10.83 in D 3.55 in

Antique French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Waterfall Decoration

Located in London, GB

This beautiful antique mantel clock features a central circular dial set within an ormolu case

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Large Three-Piece Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Henri Jondet

Sold

H 27.96 in W 15.75 in D 9.06 in

Antique French Large Three-Piece Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Henri Jondet

By Henri Michel Jondet

Located in London, GB

This monumental antique French clock set is composed of a central clock and a pair of flanking

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Jules BRATEAU, Four-Sided Clock On A High Base, 1900

Sold

H 13.78 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in

Jules BRATEAU, Four-Sided Clock On A High Base, 1900

By Jules BraTeau

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

relief, is a tribute to the artists of the Italian and French Renaissance. The foliage, for their part

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Pewter

Antique Renaissance Revival Figural Slate Clock & Bronzed Torchers Signed Dubois

Sold

H 30 in W 12 in D 11 in

Antique Renaissance Revival Figural Slate Clock & Bronzed Torchers Signed Dubois

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Renaissance Revival figural garniture set offers central slate clock with mother

Category

Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Candelabras

Materials

Slate

19th Century French Renaissance Style Bronze Doré Mantel Clock

Sold

H 16 in W 11 in D 3 in

19th Century French Renaissance Style Bronze Doré Mantel Clock

Located in Dallas, TX

Embellish your mantel or desk with this elegant clock from France, circa 1870. The piece is in

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Renaissance Bronze Mantel Clock with Fleurs-de-Lys

Sold

H 23 in W 13 in D 7 in

19th Century French Renaissance Bronze Mantel Clock with Fleurs-de-Lys

Located in Dallas, TX

ornate Renaissance style, the tall clock features a knight in armor standing on top of a castle structure

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Hand-Carved French Renaissance Revival Wall Clock W. Putto Sculptures

Sold

H 14.2 in W 12.4 in D 4.7 in

Antique Hand-Carved French Renaissance Revival Wall Clock W. Putto Sculptures

Located in Lisse, NL

they make this antique French clock an absolute joy to own and look at. This work of time telling art

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Wall Clocks

Materials

Enamel

Fine Renaissance Style Wall-Clock by Sévin and Barbedienne

Sold

H 19.69 in W 16.15 in D 5.91 in

Fine Renaissance Style Wall-Clock by Sévin and Barbedienne

By Louis-Constant Sevin, Ferdinand Barbedienne

Located in PARIS, FR

Signed on the dial F. Barbedienne à Paris A gilt bronze wall-clock decorated with Renaissance

Category

Antique 1870s French Renaissance Revival Wall Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mounted Onyx Longcase Clock

Sold

H 49.61 in W 14.57 in D 11.82 in

French Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mounted Onyx Longcase Clock

By Andre Romain Guilmet

Located in London, GB

French Renaissance style gilt bronze and enamel mounted onyx longcase clock French, late 19th

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Grandfather Clocks and Lon...

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

French Renaissance Figural Bronze Mantel Clock

Sold

H 16.5 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in

French Renaissance Figural Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Pasadena, CA

Ornate bronze mantle clock mounted with putto (or cherub) and embellished with three dimensional

Category

Antique 19th Century French Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Neo-Renaissance Style Clock Made After the Model by Michelangelo

Sold

H 33.47 in W 36.62 in D 15.95 in

Monumental Neo-Renaissance Style Clock Made After the Model by Michelangelo

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

This exceptional and monumental clock was made out of Statuary Carrara marble, gilded bronze, and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Sunburst Clock

Sold

W 48 in D 7 in

19th Century French Sunburst Clock

Located in Essex, MA

Fantastic giltwood sunburst with French porcelain dial clock in the center.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Wall Clocks

An impressive French astronomical centerpiece table clock, circa 1880

Sold

H 17.72 in Dm 10.04 in

An impressive French astronomical centerpiece table clock, circa 1880

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

going and striking work, 8-day duration. Planchon is very famous for his high quality clock cases

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large-Scale Clock Set, French Pierced Brass and Pair of Urns, circa 1890-1900

Sold

H 9.75 in W 9.75 in D 24 in

Large-Scale Clock Set, French Pierced Brass and Pair of Urns, circa 1890-1900

By L. Marti et Cie

Located in Seattle, WA

French mantel clock garniture set. Pierced brass, circa 1890 to 1900. Large clock with figural

Category

Antique 1890s French Renaissance Revival Mantel Clocks

Renaissance Revival Clock and sconce set with King Louis XII Coat of Arms

Sold

H 37 in W 14 in

Renaissance Revival Clock and sconce set with King Louis XII Coat of Arms

Located in Bridport, CT

Renaissance Revival Clock and sconce set. Coat of Arms of King Louis XII (27 June 1462 – 1

Category

Antique 19th Century French Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

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Manly P Hall, the Secret Teachings of All Ages, First Edition Book & 4 Prints

$500 / item

H 18.7 in W 13.2 in D 3 in

Manly P Hall, the Secret Teachings of All Ages, First Edition Book & 4 Prints

By TASCHEN

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The classic encyclopedia of the arcane in an expanded edition. Renowned philosopher and lecturer Manly P. Hall’s masterful encyclopedia of ancient symbols, hidden rituals, and arcan...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Books

Materials

Foil

Monumental Antique French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mantel Clock by Maison Marquis

$48,260

H 36 in W 17 in D 12.25 in

Monumental Antique French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mantel Clock by Maison Marquis

By Maison Marquis, Languereau

Located in New York, NY

A very unusual and quite monumental antique French Louis XVI style Napoleon III ormolu mantel clock by Maison Marquis, the Movement by Languereau, Paris, 1860: surmounted by an urn i...

Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Bronze

Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany King Size Bed by François Linke

$95,000

H 60 in W 80.5 in D 91 in

Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany King Size Bed by François Linke

By François Linke

Located in Long Island City, NY

A wonderful early 20th century gilt bronze mounted king size mahogany bed By François Linke With cartouche-shaped headboard, footboard and serpentine rails, on splayed legs with sc...

Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Fine Pair of Antique Russian Amethyst Cut Crystal Vases in Dore Bronze Mounts

$22,600 / set

H 12.5 in Dm 3.75 in

Fine Pair of Antique Russian Amethyst Cut Crystal Vases in Dore Bronze Mounts

Located in New York, NY

A fine pair of Antique Russian of Amethyst cut crystal vases in doré bronze mounts. As so often happens, the artisans of the 19th century turned to nature for inspiration. Here we se...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Egyptian Revival Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set

$47,607 / set

H 27.17 in W 13.98 in D 7.88 in

Egyptian Revival Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set

Located in London, GB

Attributed to Emile Herbert, French, 1828-1893. Comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking lidded vases, the clock on a red and black marble base with Pharaoh busts on either...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Egyptian Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage Chinese Canton Automaton Acrobat Musical Pagoda Waterfall Bracket Clock

$45,000

H 28.75 in W 13 in D 8 in

Vintage Chinese Canton Automaton Acrobat Musical Pagoda Waterfall Bracket Clock

Located in Danville, CA

Fine Canton Workshop Chinese Automaton Acrobatic Figure Musical Pagoda Bracket Clock Here for your consideration is a large Chinese Canton bracket clock. The gorgeous hardwood cas...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Exceptional Crystal and Bronze Chandelier, L-A Marquis, France, C. 1860

$1,006,423

H 82.68 in Dm 76.78 in

Exceptional Crystal and Bronze Chandelier, L-A Marquis, France, C. 1860

By Maison Marquis

Located in PARIS, FR

This very important 96-lights chandelier made entirely in chiseled and gilded bronze in the Renaissance style, is composed at the lower part of six large sets of ten light-arms, ador...

Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Antique French Ormolu Bronze Cartel Wall Clock, Sculptural Case with Cherub

$21,312

H 41.34 in W 21.66 in D 5.91 in

Antique French Ormolu Bronze Cartel Wall Clock, Sculptural Case with Cherub

By Raingo Frères

Located in Madrid, ES

Exhibiting the fine design and craftsmanship of French clockmakers Raingo Frères (Raingo Brothers), this impressively large clock, measuring over 1 meter tall ( 3 feet +), is an exam...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Wall Clocks

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Rare & Important Spanish Damascene, Iron, Steel, Gold Inlaid Clock, Eibar, Spain

$157,500

H 10 in W 16 in D 9 in

Rare & Important Spanish Damascene, Iron, Steel, Gold Inlaid Clock, Eibar, Spain

By Plácido Zuloaga 1

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

A highly rare and important Spanish damascene, "Egyptian Revival" iron, steel, gold, and silver inlaid clock, circa 1900 Exceptional quality, damascened in gold and silver inlay...

Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Egyptian Revival Mantel Clocks

Materials

Steel, Iron

George II Style Giltwood Wolf Console Stamped Lenygon and Co. After William Kent

$65,000

H 32 in W 65 in D 23.5 in

George II Style Giltwood Wolf Console Stamped Lenygon and Co. After William Kent

By Lenygon & Co. 1

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

This rare and exceptional console table in the George II style is stamped Lenygon & Co Ltd. and was made in England and would date from circa 1905. Elements of this design are relate...

Category

Early 20th Century American George II Console Tables

Materials

Marble

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

Rare 18th Century French Walnut Renaissance Extending High Table Heavily Carved

$34,005

H 36.03 in W 109.85 in D 37.21 in

Rare 18th Century French Walnut Renaissance Extending High Table Heavily Carved

By Hugues Sambin, Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptional early 18th century French Renaissance Walnut extending table in the style of Jacques Androuet du Cerceau and Hugues Sambin This...

Category

Antique 18th Century French Renaissance Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Cloisonne Enamel Clock Set

$16,322 / set

H 16.15 in W 9.06 in D 7.09 in

Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Cloisonne Enamel Clock Set

Located in London, GB

This exceptionally detailed clock set consists of a mantel clock and a pair of accompanying vases, which are all crafted in ormolu and extensively decorated in vibrant cloisonné enam...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

19th Century, Renaissance Style Oak Hunting Buffet Richly Carved

$4,025

H 104.34 in W 86.62 in D 24.81 in

19th Century, Renaissance Style Oak Hunting Buffet Richly Carved

Located in Beaune, FR

Imposing oak buffet richly carved with Renaissance-style hunting scenes. This buffet has in the lower part, three drawers and three doors. It is complete and in good condition. Fren...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Buffets

Materials

Oak

Fine Nine-Piece 19th Century Parcel Gilt Carved Aubusson Tapestry Parlor Set

$55,000 / set

H 44 in W 70 in D 28 in

Fine Nine-Piece 19th Century Parcel Gilt Carved Aubusson Tapestry Parlor Set

Located in Long Island City, NY

A Fantastic Late 19th Century Nine Piece Louis XV Style Parcel Gilt Carved Walnut and Aubusson Tapestry Parlor Set Consisting of four side chairs, four armchairs and a settee, each...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Wood

Oak and Walnut Tester Bed

$44,500

H 117 in W 79 in D 93.5 in

Oak and Walnut Tester Bed

Located in New Orleans, LA

This lavish American oak and walnut tester bed exhibits superior craftsmanship and detail. The design is embellished by elaborate carving throughout in a neoclassical motif the inclu...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Silk, Mahogany, Oak, Walnut

Decorative Objects Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Decorative Objects

Renaissance Revival Decorative Objects

19th Century Decorative Objects

Metal Decorative Objects

Decorative Objects on Sale

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French Renaissance Clock For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal French renaissance clock for your home. Frequently made of metal, bronze and ormolu, every French renaissance clock was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a French renaissance clock — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 19th Century. A French renaissance clock is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Neoclassical styles are sought with frequency. Andre Romain Guilmet, Ferdinand Barbedienne and Henri Michel Jondet each produced at least one beautiful French renaissance clock that is worth considering.

How Much is a French Renaissance Clock?

A French renaissance clock can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $11,935, while the lowest priced sells for $1,184 and the highest can go for as much as $63,203.

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 Renaissance 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.