Industrial floor lamps, bar stools, desks and other industrial-style furnishings have experienced a resurgence in popularity with the rise of interest in minimalist design.
It's a look that celebrates the past even as it suggests vigor, productivity and brawn. The newly chic industrial style of decor repurposes the simple, sturdy furniture of an earlier world of commerce — brushed-metal storage cabinets and display shelves, task lamps and pendant lights with enameled shades, work tables with worn wooden tops and cast-iron bases — and couples them with aesthetic touches emblematic of energy and optimism, from bright upholstery fabrics to flowers.
The rise in prominence of the industrial style has come hand-in-hand with the residential repurposing of former manufacturing and warehouse districts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In many loft apartments created in shuttered factories, the architectural envelope has been left intact.
Industrial-style interiors feature elements like raw brick walls, exposed steel beams and oak floors whose history is written in every pit and gouge. Iron and glass transom windows give definition and interest to small kitchen areas anchored by kitchen islands made of marble, steel and brass, while taxidermy or vintage neon signs serve as wall art in living rooms dotted with leather club chairs. Patina is the keynote to a decor in sync with such surroundings.
On 1stDibs you will find industrial furniture designs that wear their age beautifully — and were built to last.
Large Gilt-Brass Automaton Clock with Barometer, Paris, Circa 1880
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Rare and Large Gilt and Silvered Brass Automaton Clock With Aneroid Barometer, Modelled as a Steam-Driven Water Pump. Attributed to André Romain Guilmet (1827-1892), Paris. France...
Brass, Enamel
$29,500 / set
French 19th Century Clock with Matching Candelabrum
By Japy Frères
Located in Stamford, CT
A handsome 19th century French clock set comprising a clock with a matching pair of candelabrum. French Industrial steam Hammer type with brass movement. Signed GLT Paris Japy Freres...
Metal
Mantel Clock 19th Century Transitional Period
Located in Warsaw, PL
This elegant mantel clock is a fine example of the Empire style, a period characterized by its grandeur and inspiration from classical antiquity. The clock showcases a masterful comb...
Bronze
Ships Clock By Gay Vicarino, retailled by Pascall Atkey of Cowes.
Located in Amersham, GB
An exceptional Ships Clock set in a ships wheel in a heavy cast brass chromed case, striking the hours and the half hours. This eight day movement striking on a coiled blued steel go...
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Reclaimed Double Sided Factory Clock by English Clock Systems
By Smiths English Clock Systems
Located in Nottingham, GB
RECLAIMED DOUBLE SIDED FACTORY CLOCK An original vintage double sided factory clock reclaimed from the Westons Cider Factory in Herefords...
Aluminum
Vintage German Brass Ship Clock from Philips, 1970s
By Philips
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage ship clock made by Philips in West Germany during the 1970s.It features a brass body frame and clear glass cover. This item has been converted into a battery-powered clockwor...
Brass
Seiko Ship's Nautical Analog Clock, 1980s
Located in Nantucket, MA
From a decommissioned Japanese ship, black Seiko analog clocks with brushed nickel faces. Battery mechanism updated and an easy opening on the back side. ...
Metal
$2,619
H 3.15 in W 2.86 in D 3.65 in
20thC English Solid Silver & Gold Alarm Clock By Jaeger, Retailed By Asprey & Co
By Jaeger-LeCoultre, Asprey International Limited
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb 20th Century English solid silver and gold desk alarm clock. The body is crafted from solid silver in the form of a horseshoe, adorned with solid gold studs designed to rese...
Gold, Silver
$16,589 / set
H 20.48 in W 12.6 in D 5.52 in
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
$1,071
H 1.5 in Dm 16 in
Antique English IRON Clock Dial Face Industrial EDWIN GAY RICHMOND Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique painted iron clock dial signed 'EDWIN GAY**, BRENTFORD and RICHMOND' and dating from circa 1890. As reclaimed by our buyer from a derelict building, it bares the sca...
Iron
19th Century Black Forest Mantel Clock
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th century black forest mantle clock, the clock dial located at the centre within a farmyard scene consisting of a cockere...
Walnut
19th Century French mantel clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock, having a seated cherub holding the rains of a winged dragon pulling a scrolling foliate ...
Ormolu
19th Century Rococo Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu Rococo influenced mantel clock, having wonderful scrolling foliate decoration, the clock face having enamel Roman numerals, an e...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Mantle Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French late 19th century gilded ormolu and champleve enamel mantel (fireplace) clock. Having urns and a cherub above the eight day clock that chimes...
Enamel, Ormolu
$207,374
H 17.72 in W 18.71 in D 9.06 in
FINE CIRCA 1895 FRENCH AUTOMATON INDUSTRIAL LOCOMOTIVE MOVING GiLT BRONZE CLOCK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very fine and highly collectable Antique circa 1895 French Automaton Industrial Locomotive moving gilt bronze clock sitting on top of a solid marble base with bronze feet These clocks vary massively in price, once recently sold for over £150,000 on 1stdibs, which was fully restored and look brand new. They have two mechanical winding features, one operates the clock and the other turns the wheels, I have wound the clock and it works as does the turning mechanism however both will need serving as they have sat for a very long time unused, I can have this done with a very fine clock restorer should the new owner wish I will include the full specification on this piece below which I found online, my example is in very fine order indeed, the sale includes everything pictured and that’s it, if you can’t see it it’s not included Dimensions Height:- 45cm Width:- 47.5cm Depth:- 23cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask c.1895 French Animated Locomotive Clock...
Brass
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...
Bronze
A Miniature Skeleton Mantel Clock By Victor Athanase Pierret
By Victor Athanase Pierret
Located in Amersham, GB
A miniature French skeleton clock with silk suspension and eight day movement, dating from the mid 19th century, with original glass dome on an ebonised and brass inlayed base with enamel dial. This clock was made by Victor Athanase Pierret whose distinctive VAP mark in an oval is stamped on the base of this clock. He exhibited a small skeleton alarm at the 1851 Great exhibition at Crystal Palace of which this may well be a version. Victor-Athanase Pierret (1806 - 1893) Victor-Athanse Pierret was born 1806 in Bucy-les-Pierrepont. He began his five year apprenticeship with Rolin at the age of 13. Later he moved to Paris and settled in the Rue des Bons-Enfants no. 21 when he was 24. Pierret created pendulum clocks with and without calender indicator, cases for ship’s chronometers, chronometer escapements with temperature compensation and night light clocks with pendulum. At the London Exhibition of 1851 he presented an alarm clock and a pendulum clock with a globe. In 1853 Pierret applied for a patent for a new date indication device, in 1855 he patented an 8-day power reserve movement. Pierret created his own watchmaking tools...
Brass, Enamel
Vintage Brass cased Jaeger le Coultre Mantel clock
Located in Dereham, GB
Vintage Brass cased Jaeger le Coultre Mantel clock Simulated Tortoishell face, with brass chapter ring, Roman numerals with Fleur de l...
Brass
Sold
H 21.5 in W 12 in D 8 in
French Style Falling Gravity Driven Bronze Industrial Elevator Industrial Clock
Located in Danville, CA
French Style Gravity Driven Industrial Elevator Industrial Clock w Marble Base Here we have a wonderful example of the industrial series popular in French horology. This clock is dr...
Brass
Sold
H 9.25 in W 6.75 in D 4.25 in
Vintage Kinetico Studios Gordon Bradt 6 Man Articulating Brass Clock Sculpture 9
By Gordon Bradt
Located in Dayton, OH
"Vintage award wining Kinetico Studios clock and sculpture by Gordon Bradt, circa 1980s. Features brazed brass with six figural men modeled in realistic p...
Brass
General Artigas Gunboat Industrial Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This automaton gunboat clock is an impeccable example of the complex artistry of industrial timepieces. An automaton is incorporated into the ship's form, with a separate mechanism that causes the propeller to spin and the turret to rotate 360 degrees when wound. The clock's face and a barometer are mounted into the turret, while a thermometer graces the central tower’s façade. Apart from its mechanical complexity, this timepiece abounds with artistic details. Crafted of silvered and gilt bronze, this particular example is modeled after the Uruguayan Naval gunboat General Artigas, commissioned in 1883 and named for Uruguayan national hero, José Gervasio Artigas. The vessel was designed to float semi-submerged with its rotating gun turret above water. In fact, rotating turrets were a new innovation in ships at the time that allowed guns to fire from either side without having to turn the boat around — a feature the clockmaker skillfully showcases. Air vents, deck ladders, a lifeboat, anchor chains and anchors are all mounted on a plinth of cast waves and marble base, lending a lifelike quality to this charming mechanical wonder. French industrial clocks...
Metal
French Industrial Battleship Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Taking the form of a battleship, this French automaton clock is a spellbinding example of the complex artistry of industrial timepieces. This ge...
Bronze
Arabesque Skeleton Clock by Evans of Handsworth
By William F. Evans of Handsworth
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible brass arabesque skeleton clock is an outstanding example by the preeminent English firm of William Frederick Evans of Handsworth, Birmingham. This horologic masterpie...
Brass
Year-Going Skeleton Clock by John Pace
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptionally rare year-going skeleton clock by esteemed clockmaker and inventor John Pace of Bury St. Edmunds is a remarkable example of the ingenuity ...
Metal
Automaton Industrial Series Quarterdeck Mantel Clock by Guilmet
Located in London, GB
French, "Ship's Quarter Deck" Automata clock from the Industrial Series. The bronze and silvered case is in the form of a ship's quarter deck, set with ...
Copper, Bronze
Sold
H 19 in W 10 in D 5.5 in
Clock Works from 19th Century Long Case Clock Mounted on Stand as Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clock works from 19th century long case clock mounted on stand as sculpture.
Iron
Freeform Tall Table Clock by Artist Jon Surriugarte California Design
By Form & Reform, Jon Sarriugarte
Located in San Diego, CA
Freeform tall table clock by Artist Jon Surriugarte California design, all handmade in metal and iron signed in the back in the style of Salvador Dali...
Metal
Sold
H 18 in W 10.5 in D 6 in
Clock Works from 19th Century Long Case Clock Mounted on Stand as Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clock works from 19th century long case clock mounted on stand as sculpture.
Iron