Empire Wall Clocks
EMPIRE STYLE
From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
9
to
2
5
3
9
9
9
210
173
162
46
43
36
34
14
13
11
10
9
9
5
5
5
4
3
8
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
5
4
3
3
2
9
3
3
3
1
Style: Empire
19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840.
Fine quality Swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon I
Located in London, GB
A Musical Automaton Clock
Depicting Napoleon at Fontainebleau
Based on the original work of Horace Vernet "Goodbyes at Fontainebleau," the painted canvas fitted with a circular enam...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass
Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian bronze ormolu walnut Vatican wall clock. Item features glass dome front, bronze ormolu. Has not been tested, circa early 1900s. Measurements: 34" H x ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Clock Gold T Kluge Stockholm with Sphinxes on Each Side
Located in DE
A beautiful 19th century Empire clock gilded with sphinxes sitting on each side. Signed with T Kluge Stockholm at the back.
Black and white...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Wood
19 Century Italian Clock Landscape Painting
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early/mid-19th century Italian clock painting indistinctly signed on the lower right corner. The oil painting is set in a period Empire gilt frame and d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Canvas
Unusual Swedish Early 19th Century Empire Wall Cartel Clock by Cederlund
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual Swedish Empire giltwood striking wall clock from the early 19th century. The white painted Arabic dial signed by the clockmaker ‘Jon. Ce...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gilded Wall Clock with Dolphins, Signed Ericsson Stockholm
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Fine and decorative Swedish Cartel clock. Very elaborately carved wooden case flanked by two sculptural dolphins. The dial signed P. Ericsson Stoc...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
Impressive Empire Period, Bronze Gilded Pendulum Clock, Stockholm
Located in New York, NY
Stunning and majestic in its size and proportion, Empire Period Pendulum Clock, made in Stockholm (1810-1835)
Sculpted, bronze-gilded clock featuring flanking cornucopia and crowned...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Related Items
Empire Ormolu and Green Marble Four Glass Clock, Eagle Antique French
By Charles Hour
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning original antique French clock by the illustrious maker Charles Hour, circa 1890. It is of the beautifully restrained Empire design in a sumptuous green variegated specimen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French antique golden gilt bronze cartel clock by Autray Fils, Paris
By Autray Fils
Located in London, GB
This stunning French Cartel clock was crafted by renowned clock makers Autray Fils, in Paris. Founded in the early 18th century, the firm of Autray...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
19th-Century Pendulum Wall Clock
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this chain pendulum clock with a gravity winding mechanism with a single weight.
The case bears normal traces of long years of use.
It is intended to be renovated.
...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Walnut Case Vienna Wall Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian walnut case Vienna wall clock having a circular porcelain dial with original hands, Roman numerals and original pendulum in a walnut and ebonised case with bobbing ...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Glass, Walnut
19th Century Musical Picture Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large well-detailed musical picture clock. The oil painting on canvas depicts a village scene in Europe with manor home, mountains at sunset in...
Category
1850s European Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Empire Portal Clock, 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 capi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Antique Wall Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Chorzów, PL
The clock is functional, after the clockmaster review
Year: The end of the 19th century
Origin: Western Europe
Dimensions: Height 133 cm / width 42 cm / depth 17 cm.
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Oak
19th Century Swedish Longcase Clock, Painted
Located in San Francisco, CA
This lovely " Grandfather" clock has retained it's original painted finish. The face is in good condition,
so is the case. The clock mechanism is not in working order at this time, ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Case Clock
Located in Huntington, NY
A unique Swedish Mora case clock in original light green color. Base is later made. Clock is sold as a decorative piece, no mechanical guarantee. Weights, pendulum and key included.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass, Iron
19th Century Napoleon III French Wall Clock
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III wall clock from Avignon with "oeil de boeuf" shaped glass paned door, ebonized wood frame and clock surround with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. Enamel face with roman numerals and brass trim. Ten day movement, chiming on the hour, two minutes...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass
19th Century Enamel And Bronze Napoleon Clock
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
A Handsome 19th century, French Napoleon III mantle Clock of fine quality.
Black enamel & Gilt bronze case , lion masks to the sides sitting on claw feet . The clock and striking bel...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Elegant 19th Century Bronze Clock Empire
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant 19th century bronze clock.
19th Century French clock in gilded bronze. The machinery works and has its pendulum and key. Difficult ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Previously Available Items
19th Century Empire Period Tole Cartel Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Empire Period tole cartel clock with central engine turned and enameled dial, the brass knop finial with hanging ring above an octagonal body with raised concav...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Sheet Metal
19th Century Swedish Gilt and Églomisé Ornate Wall Clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840.
Fine quality swedish wall clock of the Empire period circa 1840. Beautifully...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Tole and Parcel-Gilt Wall Clock, circa 1810-1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of circular form and made to resemble a pocket watch, with gilt decoration on a tole body, the works having been serviced and in fine condition.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Metal
Vienna Laterndluhr Regulator Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare Vienna regulator clock, or Laterndluhr, beautifully demonstrates the precision and superiority of Viennese craftsmanship. The elegant ...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Enamel
French Empire Tole Wall Clock, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A decorative French Empire period wall clock in tole with brass details and porcelain face, circa 1810.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass, Tin
Late 19th Century Swedish Gilt Wall Clock by Rob Engstrom, Stockholm
By Robert Engstrom
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality Swedish wall clock in the empire taste, circa 1895.
Movement stamped b & w, which is by German Company Berger & Wurker. Clock by Rob Engstrom...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Gilt and Eglomise Ornate Wall Clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality Swedish wall clock in the empire taste, circa 1840.
Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. Two silhouette eglomise glass panels ( 1 of which has a break.)
Craquelu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
German Mahogany Eglomise Banjo Clock. Circa 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
German mahogany eglomise banjo clock with brass eagle finial, signed paper numerical dial, tapered throat, and terminating on a rectangular plinth with gad...
Category
1880s German Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
American Mahogany and Églomisé Banjo Clock, New Haven, CT, Circa 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany banjo clock with a perched eagle finial, steel engraved dial under glass, centered decorative gilt reversed painted glass, lower hinged door with a reverse painting...
Category
1880s American Antique Empire Wall Clocks
French Empire Tole Wall Clock
Located in Doylestown, PA
A nice French Empire tole wall clock in red painted finish and gilt decoration, circa 1810, with original working clock.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Tôle
French Empire Tole Wall Clock
Located in Doylestown, PA
A nice early 19th century French Empire Period wall clock in painted and parcel gilt tole, with enamel dial. Missing pendulum.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Empire wall clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire wall clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire wall clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for wall clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $44,751 while the average work can sell for $10,752.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
American Clocks Antique Clocks
American Clock Antique Clocks
American Antique Clocks
American Antique Clocks American Antique Clocks
Antique American Clocks Clocks
American Antique Clock
Antique American Clocks
Antique American Clocks Antique Clocks
Large French Wall Clock
Old Vintage Clocks
Retro Brass Wall Clock
Vintage Iron Clock
Large German Clocks
Post Office Clock
Large Antique Wall Clock
Large Antique Wall Clocks
Large Antique Wall Clock Wall Clocks
Large Wall Clock Antique Clocks