Skip to main content

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.

to
2
1
1
1
310
204
126
103
100
92
57
29
27
20
20
19
15
12
5
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
2
2
2
1
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
Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set

Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture 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
French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

Related Items
Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Guaynabo, PR
Tiffany's clock case with enamel roman numbers and bronze snake dials. At the top, the clock is adorned with an Indian palace gallery and dome that has a crane finial over it and dragon head legs. The rectangular clock...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture
Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture

Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture

H 21.5 in W 11 in D 7 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
Antique French Art Deco Figural Spelter & Onyx Garniture Mantel Clock Set Uriano

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

H 13.5 in W 22 in D 6 in
Art Deco Clock Garniture Set with Two Ball Dancers by P. Sega
By Pierre Sega
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
An Art Deco figural clock garniture set, circa 1920s-30s, Two daring Art Deco ball dancers elegantly positioned either side of the white enamel di...
Category

1920s French Vintage Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Spelter

Art Deco Clock Garniture Set with Two Ball Dancers by P. Sega
Art Deco Clock Garniture Set with Two Ball Dancers by P. Sega

Art Deco Clock Garniture Set with Two Ball Dancers by P. Sega

H 11.42 in W 14.57 in D 4.73 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
19th Century French Cathedral Clock

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

H 18.5 in W 7.13 in D 4.75 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
Antique Victorian Quality Green Onyx Ornate Clock Garniture

Antique Victorian Quality Green Onyx Ornate Clock Garniture

H 16.54 in W 8.47 in D 5.12 in
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A captivating three-piece mantel clock, from 19th century France, crafted in Siena marble and gilt bronze, with multiple stylistic reference points from the Grand Tour of Europe. The...
Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set

French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set

H 15.75 in W 9.13 in D 4 in
Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of a barometer and a clock, 19th century Set of a barometer and a clock in carved wood, from the 19th century, Louis XVI style, Napoleon III period, great decoration. The mechanism of the clock is missing, but it is possible on request to put an old clock...
Category

1870s European Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century
Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century

Set of a Barometer and a Clock, 19th Century

H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 7.09 in
French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Dresser Mantel Clock and Garniture Set
By Esdeve, Sarreguemines
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The beautiful set by Esdeve - Sarreguemines features a lovely pink French Majolica dresser mantel clock and a matching pair of pink floral garniture vases. It features an Art Nouveau...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Majolica

French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Dresser Mantel Clock and Garniture Set
French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Dresser Mantel Clock and Garniture Set

French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Dresser Mantel Clock and Garniture Set

H 8 in W 9 in D 2.5 in
Early 1900 Three Piece Garniture Mantel Clock & Pair of Candelabra Rustic Design
Located in Lisse, NL
Remarkable and highly decorative handmade clock garniture marked AE. This antique French clock comes with two matching candle holders. This is a rare s...
Category

Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Early 1900 Three Piece Garniture Mantel Clock & Pair of Candelabra Rustic Design
Early 1900 Three Piece Garniture Mantel Clock & Pair of Candelabra Rustic Design

Early 1900 Three Piece Garniture Mantel Clock & Pair of Candelabra Rustic Design

H 19 in W 18 in D 10 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
19th C. Meissen Porcelain Rococo Musician's Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set

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

H 25 in W 12 in D 8.5 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
19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set

19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set

H 18.12 in W 9.06 in D 7.09 in
Antique French Cherub Mantel Clock By Francois Moreau
By Louis & François Moreau
Located in Ongar, GB
Antique French mantel clock by Francois Moreau. Circa 1900. In good working condition. Please contact us directly for a worldwide shipping quote
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Spelter

Antique French Cherub Mantel Clock By Francois Moreau
Antique French Cherub Mantel Clock By Francois Moreau

Antique French Cherub Mantel Clock By Francois Moreau

H 11.03 in W 14.57 in D 5.52 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
Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock

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
Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock

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.

Recently Viewed

View All