Empire Mantel 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.
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French Empire Allegorical Clock Depicting "Venus Guided by Love" by Lesieur
By Pierre Lesieur
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An important and rare French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock depicting "Venus Guided by Love" featuring a case by the noted bronzier Lesieur. The figures and clock plinth sit on a rectangular green marble base topped with a gilt bronze plinth, raised upon four flattened toupie feet.
The round enamel dial, signed “Lesieur à Paris”, indicates the Roman numeral hours and minute graduations. It is housed in a finely chased bronze altar whose pediment is decorated with egg and dart friezes, and be-ribboned torches on either side the façade is adorned with applied stylized butterfly and lyre motifs. The sides feature be-ribboned flower wreaths, and the plinth a leaf frieze. Two fine gilt bronze figures depict a winged and semi-nude cupid who is pointing to the time, while addressing Venus who is clothed in antique robes...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$16,875 Sale Price
25% Off
19 Century Figurative French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock of Caesar on His Throne
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire gilt bronze clock showing a Caesar (resembling Napoleon), seated on a classical throne. He is slightly leaning to one s...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Pendulum from "French National Furniture" Called "The study"
Located in Marseille, FR
Pendulum of national furniture called "The study" of Empire period double patina and gilded bronze with scientific attributes of astronomy, on the base we find cupid, Minerev and his...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bisque Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Mantel Clock
French Empire ormolu mounted Bisque porcelain mantel clock surmounted by a winged...
Category
1780s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas
Located in London, GB
French Empire miniature ormolu clock of Cupid signed by Ledure and Thomas. A small French Empire clock only 10 inches (25 cms high) but of outstanding quality. A figure of Cupid stan...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful patinated bronze clock featuring Cupid and Psyche with a Sienna marble base
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock of a Seated Roman Emperor
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire period mantel (fireplace) clock showing a seated Roman emperor in finely chased patinated bronze holding a sword in one hand and a Roman banner in the other. He ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$4,640 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Gilt Bronze Clock of Standing Classical Lady Unveiling an Urn of Plenty
By A. Ravrio
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire mantle clock in gilded bronze depicting a standing classical lady on the left side of the clock plinth with her left ar...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany and Cut Crystal Columned Portico Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare example of a late French Empire portico clock combining the use of mahogany casing with gilt bronze mounts and cut crystal. The four pillars linking the top and bottom section...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot
By Marie Prevost
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional gilt bronze mantel clock with its key depicting a winged Cupid in a chariot. The chariot is pulled by two doves that are resting on a platform adorned with water-leaf. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751-1843) Empire marble mantel (fireplace) clock. 1st quarter 19th century; Rouge Griotte marble and bronze doré...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Early 19th Century Empire Period Mantel Clock Signed Ledure
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Very fine early 19th century Empire period mantel clock of patinated bronze. It is signed by one of the best Parisian bronzers Pierre Victor Ledure and h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu and enamel Ceres mantel clock after Thomire.
French, c.1810
Measures: height 46cm, width 38cm, depth 13cm.
This superb mantel clock was made in the First Fr...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Venus and Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock with Venus and Cupid
French, early 19th Century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 37.5cm, depth 13.5cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The clock includes a sculptural surmount of Venus accompanied by Cupid. Venus sits atop the square clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock
By Normant
Located in Paris, FR
Vase-shaped mantel clock in gilded porcelain. Breguet hands track the hours and minutes on white, enamel dial with hours marked in Roman numerals. The porcelain is interspaced with g...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Porcelain
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble clock, signed Armingault à Paris. The clock is raised by an impressive rectang...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century finely chased and cast dore bronze mantle clock. Porcelain dial in excellent condition. Signed "Millet." Original pendulum. Don't have original key, but can have one made.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene
Located in London, GB
A very unusual French Empire Genre Arcadian mantel clock of a hunting scene. The primary subject is that of a finely dressed woman in riding habit, hat, whip and gloves riding side saddle on a fine patinated bronze hunter...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Clock The Spinner by Rossel in Rouen
Located in Paris, FR
French Empire pendulum clock finely crafted of gilt bronze, featuring a young spinner wearing a classical dress, seating on the dial near a lyre ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez
French, circa 1815
Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm
This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Pendulum Clock the Spinner, Signed Rossel in Rouen
Located in Paris, FR
French Empire pendulum clock finely crafted of gilt bronze, featuring a young spinner wearing a classical dress, seating on the dial near a lyre ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire mantel 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 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, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mantel clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mantel clocks, popular names associated with this style include Claude Galle, Breguet a Paris, C. Maniere, and Claude Hemon. 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 $960 and tops out at $102,428 while the average work can sell for $8,222.