Skip to main content

Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

French, 1751-1843

Sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thormire was one of the greatest gilt-bronze casters of the 18th and 19th centuries. His elaborate pieces and decorative objets d’art represented the finest examples of Neoclassical style. He had such patrons as Louis XVI, Napoleon, Charles X and countless members of the European aristocracy.

Born in Paris in 1751, Thomire trained as a sculptor at the Académie de Saint-Luc under master sculptors Augustin Pajou and Jean-Antoine Houdon. However, he decided to follow his father’s more lucrative profession as a bronze caster. Thomire trained in the workshop of famed gilder Pierre Gouthière, under whom he learned the skills of chasing and gilding, particularly “dorure au mat,” which produces a satin-like matte gilding finish. 

Thomire was named a maître-fondeur in 1772 and established his own business in 1775. His reputation as a leading gilt metal manufacturer grew, especially among French nobles and the monarchy. The year he opened his workshop, he collaborated on the decoration of the coronation coach for Louis XVI, which was followed by royal commissions throughout the 1780s. 

Thomire used his skills during the French Revolution to make arms and ammunition. He also kept creating gilt-bronze objects, such as ormolu mounts for Sèvres porcelain. In a time of upheaval, his business thrived while others foundered and went bankrupt.

In 1804, Thomire acquired the company of decorative arts dealer Martin-Eloi Lignereux. This enabled him to sell furniture, Sévres porcelain and other decorative objects, like candle holders, wall lights and centerpieces. In 1809, he was appointed the engraver for the Emperor and the official furniture supplier to Napoleon.

Shortly after, Thomire entered into a partnership with three businessmen, and the company became Thomire, Duterme et Cie. In 1815, the firm was renamed Thomire et Cie after Duterme left the business. 

At 72, Thomire retired, leaving his two sons-in-law, Louis-Auguste-César Carbonelle and André-Antoine Beauvisage, to run the company. He continued to sculpt and exhibit at the Salon art exhibition until 1834. 

Thomire’s pieces are in permanent collections in museums throughout Europe, including the Louvre, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Collection Trust.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire decorative objects, lighting and serveware.

to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
1
1
1
3
35
27
25
21
Creator: Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt bronze clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire French, Early 19th Century Height 45cm, width 29cm, depth 19cm This superb gilt bronze clock, created by the renow...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire

Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire

$20,873
Related Items
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene. Stock number: CC59.
Category

1870s French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock

Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock

$4,500
H 25 in W 12 in D 8 in
A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU BUST OF HOMER After the Antique The bearded bust of Homer on a rectangular clock decorate with lyres and gryphon heads on the side
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire
A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire

A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire

$3,500
H 15 in W 7 in D 5 in
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century This Empire period clock (circa 1800-1810) is composed of a marble terrace topped by two flat columns decor...
Category

Early 1800s French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century

Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century

$3,268 Sale Price
20% Off
H 17.33 in W 11.82 in D 5.52 in
Large French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock of Exceptional Quali
Located in Benington, Herts
A large and impressive French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock of exceptional quality and colour. French (possibly retailed in Italy) - Circa 1820. The finely chased and original gilt bronze case depicting Orpheus playing his lyre with an eight-day bell striking movement, outside countwheel, backplate initialled and numbered 'A C D 1516’. The dial with Roman numerals and inscribed Riccardo Pacinoti of Lavourne. It is a French movement (silk suspension) striking the hour and half hour. The case in the form of an oblong pillar cast with anthemium and cornucopia beneath a draped urn and a laurel wreath, flanked by the figure of Orpheus playing his lyre, the stepped plinth cast with wonderfully detailed underworld scenes, on leaf scroll feet. In excellent condition the clock case has been cleaned with the movement completely overhauled and serviced to the highest standard by a specialist restorer. In general 19th century French bronze clocks...
Category

1820s French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Large French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock of Exceptional Quali
Large French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock of Exceptional Quali

Large French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock of Exceptional Quali

$11,354
H 20 in W 13.75 in D 6 in
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Modelled as a potted flower, the pot decorated with gilt bronze classical figures. With an 18th century English movement.
Category

19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock

Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock

$8,250
H 11 in Dm 4 in
Baccarat Crystal Clock Garniture, French Empire with Gilt Bronze
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire clock garniture with gilt bronze and Baccarat crystal. An important French Baccarat cut-crystal and ormolu mantel clock with four Corinthian style columns. The cut-crystal features a cross hatched diamond patterns throughout. The clock comes with two large Baccarat crystal and gilt...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Baccarat Crystal Clock Garniture, French Empire with Gilt Bronze
Baccarat Crystal Clock Garniture, French Empire with Gilt Bronze

Baccarat Crystal Clock Garniture, French Empire with Gilt Bronze

$11,995 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 18.75 in W 9.75 in D 5.75 in
French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Winged cupid with flowing robe, clock resting between wings and fabric, raised on bronze ormolu-mounted verde antico plinth. France, first half of the 19th century. Measures: H ...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$6,000
H 16 in W 9 in D 5 in
Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris
Located in Montreal, QC
This mantle clock is by a well-respected Paris maker in a fashionable style. The oval base supports a vase shaped clock case in turn supported by winged dolphin heads and flanked by ...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris
Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris

Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris

$4,200
H 13.75 in W 12.25 in D 4.5 in
Antique French Empire Style Ormolu Bronze 'Ceres' Mantel 

Clock, After Thomire
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in Madrid, ES
Following a model by early 19th century Paris sculptor and bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire, and showcasing many of the neoclassical design elements common to the Empire Style popula...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Style Ormolu Bronze 'Ceres' Mantel 

Clock, After Thomire
Antique French Empire Style Ormolu Bronze 'Ceres' Mantel 

Clock, After Thomire

Antique French Empire Style Ormolu Bronze 'Ceres' Mantel 

Clock, After Thomire

$3,989 Sale Price
40% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in D 5.12 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period gilt bronze figural clock. Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Clock

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Clock

$11,195 Sale Price
20% Off
H 21 in W 14.5 in D 9.5 in
French Museum Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Char', Thomire, Paris, Ca 1820
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite mantel clock made of fire-gilded and patinated bronze from the early 19th century: Structure in the form of a rectangular gilded base on four conical feet with chiselling, ...
Category

1820s French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Museum Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Char', Thomire, Paris, Ca 1820
French Museum Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Char', Thomire, Paris, Ca 1820

French Museum Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Char', Thomire, Paris, Ca 1820

$6,769
H 11.03 in W 9.85 in D 3.94 in
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, ca. 1840
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, circa 1840, surmounted by a seated woman resting on a cushion, and holding a dove, circular white enamel dial, the movement strike on bell, o...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, ca. 1840
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, ca. 1840

French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, ca. 1840

$1,800
H 18 in W 13.5 in D 5 in
Previously Available Items
Empire-Period Apollo Mantel Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Greek god Apollo drives his Chariot of the Sun across the sky atop this exceptional Empire clock. The clock face is cleverly contained within the wheel of Apollo's chariot, while the dial indicates the hour on Arabic numerals with Breguet hands. The impressive timepiece was crafted by Pierre-Philippe Thomire...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Pierre-Philippe Thomire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Empire-Period Apollo Mantel Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Empire-Period Apollo Mantel Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire

Empire-Period Apollo Mantel Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire

H 30.5 in W 31 in L 30.5 in

Pierre-philippe Thomire mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Pierre-Philippe Thomire mantel clocks are available for sale on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All