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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
An English Regency Mantel Clock in Slate & Ormolu by Grimalde & Johnson
Located in Brisbane, QLD
Whilst we don't regularly specialise in clocks, we took an exception to this one and it is perhaps the nicest we have had to date. Crafted in London during the Regency period, this t...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Slate, Bronze, Ormolu

French early 19th century white Carrara, Griotte marble and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most attractive French early 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara, Rouge Griotte marble and Ormolu clock, attributed to Étienne Maurice Falconet. This wonderf...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Griotte Marble, Ormolu

Cream Baignoire Cartier Alarm Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
A Cartier Alarm Clock in an oval enamel and gold plated frame. The cream enamel and gilt frame is in perfect as new condition, with cabuchon jewelled setting nut, resting on a strut ...
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1990s Swiss Post-Modern Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Louis XVI Antique French Ormolu and Bronze Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large and superb cartel wall clock in the style of Louis XVI by Samuel Marti. It as formed as a round bronze body housing the movement suspended from an ormolu ribbon swag with a b...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Egyptian Revival Green Onyx and Bronze Garniture Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Egyptian Revival green onyx and bronze garniture mantle clock with two obelisks, with the clock mounted and flanked by ormolu sphinxes and all parts of the set featuring...
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19th Century European Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu

Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Clock Set by H Luppens Paris
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large and magnificent clock set by the renown bronze founder H Luppens of Brussels. Classically modelled in the Louis XVI style, the clock features three ormolu cherubs toiling to ...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century After Sevre Louis XV Style Mantel Clock Set
Located in Austin, TX
This magnificent 19th Century Louis XV Style Mantel Clock Set, crafted in the style of Sèvres, embodies the opulence and elegance of French decorative arts. The set includes an intri...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique 19th century quality French boulle bracket clock with original bracket
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique 19th century quality French boulle bracket clock with original bracket, Fantastic quality boulle bracket clock inlaid with brass and ormolu moun...
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Early 19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Napoleonic Gilt Bronze and Marble Obelisk Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Louis XVI style gilt bronze and marble obelisk clock with Napoleonic Military theme. Three crisply cast French Imperial Eagles adorn the clock and refer to the figure of an eagle on a staff carried into battle as a standard by the Grande Armée of Napoleon I during the Napoleonic Wars. The most impressive of the three sits atop the obelisk, echoing the original usage of the symbol by Napoleon's military. The roman numeral dial is surmounted by a suit of roman armor resting upon a boat and flanked by a set of fasces, an eagle soars...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock Set - Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful antique French ormolu clock set in the Rococo style. It features cupid as a cherub, seated to the top with torch and quiver of...
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Art Deco Style 'Cube' Alarm Clock by Cartier
Located in Amersham, GB
An exceptional alarm clock by Cartier in an Art Deco style case of gilt metal and enamel with a white Arabic dial with luminised hands with cabochon sapphire setting nuts and alarm b...
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1990s Swiss Art Deco Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century Parisian Mantel Clock in Louis XVI Style, signed Lepine, circa 1870
By Guillaume Denière, Lepine, Samuel Marty
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock in Louis XVI style Paris Ormolu, glass, marble around 1870 Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 24 x 17 cm Description: Extremely high quality and finely crafted Parisian pend...
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1870s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French 19C Japy Freres & Red Sevres Porcelain Mantle Clock with Garniture Set
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A STUNNING mid to late 19C French Japy Freres & Red/Magenta Sevres Porcelain Mantle Clock with Garniture Candlestick Ewers. The clock movement is by the famous Parisienne Clockmaker … ‘Japy Freres’ and the clock dial has the marks for “JAY” (short for Japy Freres) & “Paris” on the dial face. The clock mechanism and clock face/dial have matching serial numbers of “7225”. The movement also has the numbers: “5 – 2”. The clock face/dial also has the initials: “D.H.”. The gilt ormolu clock case is gilt spelter and is signed on the rear base, for having been made by “P.H. Mourey” of Paris, who worked with and for ‘Japy Freres’, towards the end of the 19th Century. The signature of ‘Mourey’ also bears the numbers “85” … probably for 1885, but could also be the serial number. Taking into account Mourey’s historical association with Japy, being late 19th Century, we are leaning heavily towards this being the date of manufacture i.e. 1885. The Clock has RARE red/magenta Sevres hand-painted porcelain paintings/additions, to include:- (i) a 2 handled and lidded urn on the crown with pointed flame finial, (ii) a pair of bulbous urns either side of the main body and clock face, (iii) the clock face and dial itself and (iv) a flat rectangular medallion on the front base. The crown urn and the base medallion both have similar themes, but different painted scenes, depicting French rural countryside scenes with cottages, rivers and bridges. The porcelain urns on the sides, likewise have hand-painted images of a young boy, in rustic period attire on the right and a young girl on the left. None of these paintings appear to be signed. The clock case has GLORIOUS detail to it, with scrolls, ribbons, vines, grapes and Corinthian columns. The clock sits on a custom made gilt wood and burgundy velvet plinth, that is original to the piece and was a common accent with ‘Japy Freres Clocks’, when originally retailed in their Paris shop. The rear of the clock is plain and the perspex/clear resin plate insert, is a new addition, but a nice addition, in that it allows one, to view the movement and pendulum works. The clock is an 8 day movement with a strike on the hour and half hour. The clock face has 2 winding holes … one for the pendulum movement and the other for the striking chime/ring. Unlike British clocks this clock does not have a long musical chime … it is a simple ‘single strike’ on the half hour. The red/magenta Sevres porcelain clock face/dial is in SUPERB condition. Roman numerals with gilt accents and a hand-painted circular wreath/bouquet of spring flowers on the center section. To complete the set, we have a matching pair of gilt ormolu spelter and hand-painted red/magenta Sevres porcelain Ewers … which can hold a single candle each. The porcelain urns on the central section, have hand-painted images of a young lady in rustic period attire … fishing on the riverbank on the right and a young man playing the flute in the countryside on the left. The front base medallions on each ewer have hand-painted wreaths/bouquets of spring flowers. The clock facing side of the porcelain urn on each Ewer, has a brass ormolu applique head, of the Greek god of wine-making, orchards and fruit, vegetation, fertility, festivity, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, and theatre, namely, Dionysus. The plinths are signed on the rear top left corner, and we think they read: “R.P. Unfaut”. They also bear the numbers “61” and “69”, Again, possibly for 1861 and 1869, but here we think it is more likely they are serial numbers, as it is highly unlikely that a matching pair were made 8 years apart! Whilst we cannot find any information on ‘R.P. Unfaut’, we can only guess that he/she/they worked with, or for, ‘Japy Freres’, as these ewers are unmistakably, a ‘superb’ match for the clock! The style, subject matter, gold banding and edging, around the paintings, are virtually ‘identical’ to the same decorations on the clock’s porcelain paintings. The Ewer on the left (with the boy playing the flute) appears to have a faded signature on the gold border of the painting towards the base and we think it is the signature of ‘Alexandre Evariste Fragonard’ …. one of the best known artists attached to Sevres in the mid 19th Century … meaning, that these Ewers were probably made circa 1845-50. The quality and detail to these 2 paintings is classic Fragonard! We are of the opinion, therefore that these garnitures, were made circa 35/40 years before the clock, as Mourey was prevalent with Japy around 1880 – 1900. The clock paintings are of a very similar, rustic ‘Fragonard Style’ subject matter and although unsigned, could possibly have been painted by a Sevres artist, to replicate the Fragonard paintings...
Category

19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Ormolu clock : allegory of spring, 19th century circa 1815 - 1820
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
French Empire ormolu mantel clock showing an allegory of spring, early 19th century fine work, Restauration period circa 1815 - 1820 (Restauration period). Beautiful chiseled model d...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Important Early 19th Century Bronze Figural Mantle Clock of Recumbent Cleopatra
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Important Early 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Mantle Clock By Andre-Antoine Ravrio and Mesnil Modeled with a large and beautiful gilt bronze figure of recumbent...
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Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Unusual French Ormolu and Jeweled Clock Made for the Ottoman Turkish Market
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual French Louis Philippe Ormolu and Jeweled Clock Made for the Ottoman Turkish Market, circa 1840. The scrollwork case suspending a ribbon-tie...
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19th Century Unknown Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Late 19th Century Mathieu Planchon Belle Epoque French Cartel Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine late 19th century French Belle Epoque mounted bronze Dòre flame mahogany Cartel wall clock. The clock features a circular white enamel dial, which is inscribed with both Roman Numerals and Arabic Numbers. beautifully incised gilt hands and convex glass inscribed "Planchon A Paris". Circa 1880 French Mathieu Planchon apprenticed with his father, served several years with other clockmakers including Robert-Houdin and then went into business for himself eventually opening his shop at the Palais Royal in 1890. He was a skilled maker who was influenced by both earlier decorative trends and the ingenious clocks originally designed by Nicolas Grollier De Servierè that were illustrated in DeServierè’s catalog . Antique cartel clocks...
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19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Empire ormolu clock signed Ravrio, 19th century circa 1805
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Patinated bronze and mercury gilt bronze mantel clock featuring a vestal virgin dressed in the antique manner leaning her elbows on the Love altar. The enameled dial is signed by Rav...
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Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Giant Rouge Marble Carriage Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This oversized 'Carriage clock' in an xquisite rouge marble case with gilded mounts and handle, has an eight day movement with english lever platform escapement striking on a bell. T...
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1870s French Late Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Ormolu

Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock Set – Lieutaud Paris
By Balthazar Lieutaud
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Three Piece Clock Set – Lieutaud Paris The excellent quality clock case in white marble with figures of Venus and Cupid embracin...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Japy Freres Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Antique French Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent ormolu (finely gilded bronze) and Sèvres style porcelain clock by renown maker Japy Frères. It is of a beautifully chic design, four turned corner columns with a cushio...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A Large 19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock In The Rococo Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine 19th century and substantial ormolu clock, of Rococo balloon form, sweeping acanthus swags, scrolls and floral flourishes, which is topped by classical cornucopias. The clock ...
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Champleve enamel mantle clock, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu Champleve enamel mantle clock, having an urn finial to the top, columns supported by winged sphinx's. The eight day duration clo...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

A Monumental and Exceptional French Ormolu and Turquoise Sevres Porcelain Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental and Exceptional French Ormolu and Turquoise Sevres Porcelain Clock, circa 1875 Immerse yourself in the splendor of 19th-century French artistry with this monumental and...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire mantel clock of the Astronomy Lesson by Jean-Andre Reiche
Located in London, GB
French Empire Antique ormolu & verd antico marble mantel clock of "The Astronomy Lesson" by Jean-Andre Reiche. The fire and mercury gilt ormolu is in excellent condition and is entir...
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1810s Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

A French early 19th century Louis XVI st Ormolu white Carrara Gris St Anne clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and most unique French early 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu, white Carrara, and Gris St. Anne marble clock. This adorable clock in the shape of a well is raised on a ci...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French Louis XV Style Marble and Bronze Ormolu Clock Set By Samuel Marti C. 1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - ( Clock - H: 15in W: 10 1/2in D: 6in ) ( Candelabras - H: 17 1/2in W: 10in D: 6 1/2in ) This antique French Samuel Marti Louis XV style figural marble and bronze mounte...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Early 19th Century French Marble Clock signed "lefebure fres 5 rue Beranger"
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century Rouge Griotte marble and gilt bronze clock in the Louis XVI style decorated with gilt bronze motifs, of rectangular form the painted floral porcelain white e...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Ormolu

Antique 19th Century French Ormolu Bronze Garniture, G. J. Levy, Paris c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French garniture, cast bronze in ormolu, a striking ensemble featuring a pair of seven-light candelabras and a mantel clock. The clock is adorned with foliage an...
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1870s French Other Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A 19th Century Louis XVI Style Porphyry Mantel Clock circa 1850
By Etienne LeNoir
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th Century Louis XVI Style Porphyry Mantel Clock Mounted high quality chiseling Ormolu case upon 4 adjustable feet, designed with elegant festoons and Garlands Porphyry plaques...
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1850s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Porphyry, Ormolu

A French 19th Century Mantel Clock “cupid with a drum”
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A French 19th Century Mantel Clock “cupid with a drum” Chased Ormolu and Patinated Mantelpiece designed as a putto on clouds playing a drum containing movement with enamel dial. Rest...
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1870s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Champleve enamel clock set, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and champleve enamel clock set. The matching three brach candelabra with scrolling foliate rococo style decoration and bold...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

An ormolu mantel clock with Queen Victoria in medieval dress, by Monroux, 1832
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This fine and unusual mantel clock is a rare model produced in France for the British market. The case incorporates a finely cast and chased figure of a lady in medieval dress, almos...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Ormolu & Sevres Porcelain 3 Piece Clock Candelabra Garniture 1870
Located in Portland, OR
An outstanding quality antique gilded bronze & Sevres porcelain French 3 piece, 8 day clock garniture with candelabra, by Brocot & Delettrez, Paris, circa 1870. The clock with an 'egg' shaped urn made of cobalt blue Sevres porcelain with a hand-painted panel with a neo-classical beauty and a cupid, the rear is painted with gilt birds & floral decoration. The urn with gilt bronze handles to the sides held in the mouths of lion's masks, the clock below also with sumptuously decorated with gilded cobalt porcelain panels, the clock dial with black Roman numerals & is finely painted with two horses and a chariot with a putti falling out of the chariot. The clock has two winding arbors one for the 8 day time wind the other for a chime, the clock chimes the hours on a soft delicate sounding bell, the clock is in full working order and was recently professionally cleaned. The clock is complemented with a pair of gilt bronze & cobalt blue Sevres porcelain four branch vasiform candelabras, decorated with oval panels to the front with putti & Neoclassical maidens, the back panels finely painted with birds, each candelabra is in two sections and raised on gilt bronze bases with corbel brackets & acanthus leaf feet. The bronze casting is very likely by the Barbedienne Foundry in Paris, as the quality is outstanding, the clock is stamped "BD" for Achille Brocot (1817-1878) and Jean-Baptiste Delettrez (1816-1887), they were two of the most important French clock makers of the mid to late 19th century, please see some biography below. The clock is mechanically & cosmetically in excellent condition, and was recently overhauled by a clock-smith, the porcelain & ormolu are also in excellent condition, one of the very best investment quality gilt-bronze & Sevres porcelain clock garnitures by the top French makers of the period, circa 1870. This garniture will be professionally crated for shipping. Delettrez and Achille Brocot, son of the respected clockmaker Louis-Gabriel Brocot, established the clockmaking company "Brocot et Delettrez" in Paris on 20 October 1851, with premises at 62 Rue Charlot Paris. Jean-Baptiste Delettrez worked alongside Achille Brocot for several years and their clock movements are considered to be the most effective made during the late 19th century. Their specialty was a range of clocks based on the innovations of Brocot père and his other son Antoine, but generally of Achille's greatly advanced original design, some having a unique single-arm double-wheel escapement, some having a temperature-compensated pendulum, some having two dials, one of which showed the time and the other which showed a calendar and often other information such as phases of the moon, times of sunrise & sunset in Paris, etc. The firm was awarded a 1st class prize at the Paris World Exposition of 1857 for a commercial clock...
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1870s French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most important and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock, signed F. Barbedienne and E. Becker 98'. This impressive cartel clock with its original gi...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Impressive 19th century pendule
Located in HAARLEM, NL
This impressive 19th century mantleclock is made of the highest quality ormolu, with an white enamel dial beneath domed glass. Spring driven movement with half hour strike on bell. E...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Charles X period "Au bon Sauvage" mantel clock. Very rare, this is not a model we have ever seen before, possibly a one off. Set upon f...
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1820s Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire ormolu and bronze Pendule au Bon Sauvage clock signed Alibert
Located in London, GB
French Empire pendule au bon sauvage mantel clock in ormolu and bronze. The clock is in extremely good condition. Entirely original gilding. A particularly fine convex white enamel dial with Roman numerals. The figure with original white enamel eyes, sits on the case of the clock, foot resting on a barrel, and pipe in hand. To the other side of the clock rests a ships anchor. The back of the ormolu case is signed Alibert a Paris, for the maker. Tardy has Francois Alibert working in Paris, Rue J.J. Rouseau from 1812 -30 The clock driven by 30 hour chain fusee watch...
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1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century AD Mougin Parisian Napoleon III Clock & Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent, large, and original, French three piece mantel set from the late 19th century. The Napoleon III Second Empire period, Neoclassical style antique clock having an urn form finial with sculptural gilded bronze mounts, over architectural case made of the most beautiful variegated specimen marble, with various shades of salmon pink and white, black and silver veining, pierced flower blossom ormolu mounted columns flank the hand enameled fancy dial with Provincial figural scene, signed Guinchard & Martin, Castres, glass door with beaded gilt brass bezel, housing the high-quality eight day time and strike movement stamped AD Mougin...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Rare French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze portefaix clock signed Alibert
Located in London, GB
Extremely rare antique French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze portefaix mantel clock signed in the bronze Alibert with two tune musical base also signed Alibert. This model is bas...
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1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A Napoleon III Gilt and Silvered Bronze, Onyx and Enamel Figural Clock Set
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Napoleon III Gilt and Silvered Bronze, Onyx and Champlevé Enamel Figural Three-Piece Clock Garniture. By Eugène Cornu for the Société des Marbres Onyx d'Algerie, the figure cast fr...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th century Belle Époque period Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely and high quality French 19th century Belle Époque period Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu, and Rouge Griotte marble clock, signed Falconet. This stunning miniature tim...
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19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

A Louis XVI Style Cartel Clock and Barometer After Pierre Gouthière
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze and Wedgwood Porcelain Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer, by Maison Millet, Paris, after the model attributed to Pierre Gouthière. The clock dial is...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Champleve enamel mantle clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and Champleve enamel mantle clock. Having a seated cherub above the clock face, and a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Cherub clock set, by Deniere, Paris
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting and very good quality French 19th Century grey marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture, each piece with a patinated bronze cherub seated hold candle sticks either side...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

20th Century French Art Deco Bronze Ormolu Desk Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/4 in Width: 5 1/2 in Depth: 2 1/2 in This antique early 20th century French Art Deco bronze ormolu desk clock is made of the highest quality and perfect for ...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Louis XVI style mantel clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French gilded ormolu and white marble, 19th Century Louis XVI style mantel clock, with a classical maiden resting, a bird cage at her feet, a cherub holding a bow and ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire sculptural mantel clock by Colin à Paris
Located in HAARLEM, NL
8-day spring driven movement with half hour countwheel bell striking, fine ormolu case of good quality. 12-cm enamel dial with Roman numerals signed Colin à Paris and gilt hands, 8-...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid carrying time by Le Roy Hr du Roi
Located in London, GB
A Fine Ormolu mantle Clock after a Design by Thomire. This theme is constantly repeated during the Directoire & Empire period. Thomire is known to have used this model. The quality ...
Category

1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

The Astronomy Lesson French Empire Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent French Empire ormolu mantel clock features the iconic Neoclassical genre scene often referred to as "The Astronomy Lesson." A popular motif during this period, Emper...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Enamel, Ormolu

French Onyx + champleve enamel mantle clock, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th Century French Onyx, gilded ormolu and champleve enamel four glass mantle clock. Striking on the hour and half hour with an eight day duration. Batch 79 G99...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu

Single Fusee Carriage Timepiece By Thomas Cole and James Cole, Retailed By Hunt
Located in Amersham, GB
A miniature carriage clock timepiece by Thomas Cole and his brother James Fergusson Cole. The eight day single fusee movement with english lever escapement. The case is decorated with the ‘Rose and Trellis’ pattern as seen on another of Coles clocks retailed by Edward Dent with the same handle and case construction ( JB Hawkins, “The Hawkins Pictorial Survey of Cole Clocks...
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1840s English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Steel, Ormolu

19th Century Malachite And Ormolu Clock By Charpentier Paris
Located in OŻARÓW MAZOWIECKI, PL
19th century clock by Charpantier, Paris. Made of gilded bronze, resting on a malachite base. Carefully chiseled bronze, ornamentation on both sides. Beautiful porcelain dial with go...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Antique early 19th century French red marble and ormolu clock garniture
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu Clock Garniture comprising a pair of campana shaped Urns with satyr mask carrying handles supported on red marble plinths with...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

A French Ormolu Quarter-Striking Pendule D'Officier By Le Roi & Fils
Located in Dublin, IE
A superb quality French ormolu grande sonnerie pendule d'officier with alarm by Le Roi & Fils. The ormolu case profusely decorated with floral swag friezes and oval floral mounts to the sides, entwined serpent handle, resting on on four paw feet. The white enamel Arabic...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A Louis XV Style Desk Travelling Cartel Clock circa 1875
By Etienne LeNoir
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Desk Travelling Cartel Clock in chiseled and gilded bronze Rocaille decoration of scrolls, acanthus leaves and lyre Enamel dial signed Lenoir in Paris Plate mechanism No. 13287 and w...
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1870s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Antique French Ormolu and White Marble Louis XVI Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful classical clock made in the style of Louis XVI by Samuel Marti. Stunning ormolu (finely gilded bronze) mounted on a marble base. It is decorated with an inset laurel swag...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

A Large Gilt-Bronze Four-Glass Mantel Regulator Calendar Clock
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large Gilt-Bronze Four-Glass Mantel Regulator Calendar Clock. The architectural case composed of two columns supporting a stepped top. The front and back with bevel glazed doors. The enamel clock...
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19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Antique Ormolu Clocks for Sale on 1stDibs

Antique ormolu clocks and other decorative objects can be incorporated into a variety of spaces, and while demand for the material and/or technique was at its peak in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries — older French ormolu clocks are especially coveted today — ormolu is still widely loved by contemporary designers and collectors.

What is ormolu?

Ormolu is a brilliant form of decorative trickery. To the untrained eye, ormolu clocks, jewelry boxes and other ormolu furniture and decor look like they're made of solid gold. But those in the know recognize ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — as having been essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

“Most commonly, ormolu refers to a bronze object that has been covered with gold, typically 18 karat or 24 karat,” explains Jamie Sinai, director of the antiques specialist Mayfair Gallery, in London. “For that reason, ormolu is sometimes called gilt bronze or, in French, bronze doré. Strictly speaking, however, the term ormolu also denotes the technique of applying gold to a metal.”

“The word comes from the French or moulu, which translates as ‘ground or powdered gold’ — the form the gold takes before it is applied to a metal surface.”

From the court of King Louis XVI to that of Napoleon I, the French elite snapped up furniture mounted with ormolu, as well as sconces, candelabra and table lamps made from the material. 

If you're looking to bring a touch of this 19th-century pizzazz to your desk, an antique ormolu desk clock is a decorative touch that blends ornament and functionality. The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier. Indeed, an ormolu clock is an object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. (This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles!)

Today, antiques collectors and interior designers seek out the finest in antique ormolu clocks and continue to prize ormolu for its extraordinary craftsmanship and history-infused glamour. 

“This wondrous material was highly sought after in France as the ultimate luxury. It magically resembled solid gold and sparkled under candlelight,” says Sinai.

Find antique ormolu desk clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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