Skip to main content

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.

to
26
198
6
189
3
1
1
324
198
120
113
99
97
56
28
27
25
21
19
18
10
4
2
1
1
185
144
62
57
46
100
60
192
181
2
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
198
198
198
3
2
2
2
2
Style: Empire
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent condition with finely chased dore bronze mounts. Has key and pendulum.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock

19th Century Empire Mantel Clock

$13,950
Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid as magician, uncovering flaming hearts with the 3 cup trick. The shaped base with four tal...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts

Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts

$8,512
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Located in Tarzana, CA
A 19th century French gilt-bronze and white marble figural lyre clock. The case mounted with floral swags, with a figure of Cupid to the top and two cherubs to the sides, on fluted r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture

Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture

$18,990
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Ormolu French Empire clock, drumhead case with applied frieze decoration to the base, standing on turned and engraved feet. Superb engine turned dial centre, the gilded dial with Roman numerals, original hands and floral cast bezel surround. Convex glass to the rear supporting the eight day movement with outside countwheel striking and silk suspension. The whole surmounted by a gilded winged...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock

$6,129
Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze figural mantle clock. Patinated bronze and gilt bronze fine details. Working condition.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock
Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock

Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock

$13,500
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

Empire Clock The Spinner by Rossel in Rouen
Empire Clock The Spinner by Rossel in Rouen

Empire Clock The Spinner by Rossel in Rouen

$5,452
Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire
By Pierre-Philippe 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

Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire
Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire

Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire

$20,430
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

French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Clock
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Clock

French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Clock

$34,500
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

French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas
French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas

French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas

$5,107
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 Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock

French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock

$9,466
French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris
Located in London, GB
Superb quality French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock in a beautifully restrained case. The casting and gilding of the finest quality. A classically dressed maiden st...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris
French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris

French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris

$8,512
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures French, 19th century Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm This mantel clock feat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures

French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures

$11,577
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

Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot

Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot

$13,512
Empire Pendulum Clock the Spinner, Signed Rossel in Rouen
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

Empire Pendulum Clock the Spinner, Signed Rossel in Rouen
Empire Pendulum Clock the Spinner, Signed Rossel in Rouen

Empire Pendulum Clock the Spinner, Signed Rossel in Rouen

$7,111
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

Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire Marble Mantle Clock
Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire Marble Mantle Clock

Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire Marble Mantle Clock

$18,750
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

French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez

French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez

$10,215
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 Antique Empire 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
Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock "Pouring Wine"
Located in Tarzana, CA
A fine Early 19th century French Empire ormolu bronze mantel clock. Depicting a winged cherub standing atop a barrel while a kneeling lady pouring wine ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock "Pouring Wine"
Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock "Pouring Wine"

Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock "Pouring Wine"

$9,800

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.

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

French Regulator Clock
Garniture Cheminee
Marble And Slate Mantel Clocks
Samuel Marti Bronze Clock
Sienna Marble Clock
Tiffany Marble Clock
Vintage Bird Clock
Westminster Antique Clocks
1855 Clocks
Ansonia Brass
Antique Ansonia Mantel Clock
Antique Clock Gongs
Antique Clock Sound
Antique Figurine Clock
Antique French Clock Makers
Antique Smiths Clocks
Antique Spanish Clocks
Antique Statue Clocks
View All Popular Mantel Clocks Searches