Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.

While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.

Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.

The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.

Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Style: Classical Roman

Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set

By Hermle

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set The Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set

$3,328 / set

French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

$7,559 / set

Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal

Garniture-Clock And Pair Of Candelabra

$750

H 19.69 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in

19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock

By Claude Galle

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock. circa 1810 clock Napoleonic Empire Bronze Dore. La Liseuse" clock after Reiche, by Claude Galle & Grand Girad. Signed in Paris

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock

$7,500

H 9 in W 15 in D 9 in

American Rococo Gilt Mantel Clock Cherub

Located in Potters Bar, GB

This is a American gilt-bronze (ormolu) mantel clock, exuberantly decorated in the Rococo revival style Circa 1920 Gilt-bronze (ormolu) case with a rich golden tone Enamel dial with ...

Category

1920s Vintage Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

American Rococo Gilt Mantel Clock Cherub

$790

H 15 in W 4 in D 7 in

French Figural Cherub Gilt Bronze & Marble Candelabra Clock Set, Circa 1820

Located in Charleston, SC

French figural cherub gilt bronze and marble three piece clock set flanked by gilt bronze marble sphere six light candelabras, central clock fla...

Category

1820s French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

French Figural Cherub Gilt Bronze & Marble Candelabra Clock Set, Circa 1820

$18,000

H 25.5 in W 20.5 in D 8 in

Antique Victorian Quality Green Onyx Ornate Clock Garniture

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique Victorian quality green onyx ornate clock garniture having a quality circular floral decorated dial with original hands, eight day movement striki...

Category

19th Century European Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Onyx

Antique Victorian Quality Green Onyx Ornate Clock Garniture

$2,192 / set

H 16.54 in W 8.47 in D 5.12 in

Antique French Art Deco Figural Spelter & Onyx Garniture Mantel Clock Set Uriano

Located in Dayton, OH

An exceptional and difficult to find Art Deco Garniture Clock Set depicting a young lady looking down at birds below. Set between lovely Garnitures of cups or vases with tapered shap...

Category

Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Spelter

Antique French Art Deco Figural Spelter & Onyx Garniture Mantel Clock Set Uriano

$1,440 Sale Price / set

20% Off

H 13.5 in W 22 in D 6 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

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

$3,250

H 18.5 in W 7.13 in D 4.75 in

19th C. Meissen Porcelain Rococo Musician's Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in New York, NY

An impressive and rare 19th century Meissen Porcelain Musicians clock and Candelabra Garniture set. Comprised of three individual pieces, w...

Category

19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Porcelain

19th C. Meissen Porcelain Rococo Musician's Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set

$44,000 Sale Price / set

20% Off

H 25 in W 12 in D 8.5 in

French 19th Century Mantle Clock

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

French metal mantle clock with ‘Boiscontier a Paris Rue De Caumartin’ printed on its face. The crest is a basket with elaborate foliate motif over a symme...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Mantle Clock

$2,500

H 15.75 in W 11 in D 5.38 in

19C French Mantle Clock with Candelabra Garnitures by J. Marti (Paris)

By Marti

Located in Dallas, TX

PRESENTING A STUNNING Mid 19th Century French Slate & Bronze Mantel Clock by Marti with pair of slate and bronze candelabra’s as garnitures. This ‘large’ mantle clock, was made circ...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Slate, Brass, Bronze

19C French Mantle Clock with Candelabra Garnitures by J. Marti (Paris)

$7,800 / set

H 26 in W 11.2 in D 6.8 in

19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set

Located in London, GB

19th Century French pink marble and ormolu clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 44.5cm, width 22cm, depth 20cm This unusual three-piece clock garniture combines stunning pink marble with ormolu classicised decoration. Featuring ornate pierced gilt brass hands, the porcelain dial of the mantel clock is framed with a floral motif that complements the tones of the marble. The clock is covered with elegant gilt-bronze classical decoration: surmounting the dial is an ormolu torch and laurel...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set

$16,493 / set

H 18.12 in W 9.06 in D 7.09 in

Exceptional French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock and Candelabra Set

By Japy Frères

Located in London, GB

A Garniture de Cheminee by Japy Freres et Cie Constructed in two color gold ormolu, comprising a richly decorated mantle clock and two candelabra in ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Exceptional French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock and Candelabra Set

$15,806

H 19.5 in W 12 in D 6 in

Previously Available Items

Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock

By Vincenti et Cie

Located in Bronx, NY

This vintage, circa 1855, French Empire mantel clock is designed with a doré bronze mythological subject upon a footed white marble and gilt bronze platform. The mounted bronze sculp...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock

H 14.5 in W 18.75 in D 4 in

Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock

By Cartier

Located in Dallas, TX

Expert craftsmanship! A rare and important Cartier mantle or desk clock of heavy gilt gold bronze with a polished Lapis Lazuli cobalt blue and yellow gold inclusions. Of classical carriage decorative design with columns and a Greek winged eye touch. Roman numerals and chiseled incised hands and face. This clock is extraordinarily heavy, very solid, tight and works perfectly. This is a bit of a Cartier mystery clock...

Category

1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock

H 10.4 in W 9.2 in D 3.2 in

Classical Roman mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mantel clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman mantel clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mantel clocks, popular names associated with this style include and Hermle. 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 mantel clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,441 and tops out at $6,813 while the average work can sell for $2,662.