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Material: Ormolu
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock by Denière
Located in London, GB
An Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock by Denière
French, c.1820
Measures: Height 50cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm
Made in the early nineteenth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, 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 e...
Category
1810s Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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
French 19th century Louis XVI st. Marble, patinated Bronze and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Marble, patinated Bronze and Ormolu pedestal clock, retailed by Tiffany & Co. This stunning clock is raised by a Rouge R...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set Retailed by Tiffany & Co
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and supremely refined large French Louis XVI style Ormolu and White Marble Clock Garniture, dating to the 19th century and proudly retailed by the esteemed Tiffany & C...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Ormolu Antique French Rococo Cartel Wall Clock
By A.D. Mougin
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent and very large original antique French Rococo cartel wall clock. Asymmetrically modelled in the Louis XV style, the dial bursting through the swirling clouds as the sun...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
English Minton Gilt Bronze & Bleu Céleste Jeweled Porcelain Garniture Clock Set
By Minton
Located in New York, NY
A Fine English Minton Bleu Céleste porcelain ground clock set consisting of a urn clock and two candlesticks with gilt bronze mounts of female mascrons and garlands, hand painted gol...
Category
19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
1840s English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Steel, Ormolu
18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock by Lepaute
By Lepaute
Located in London, GB
18th century Louis XVI ormolu and marble cercle tournant mantel clock by Lapaute
French, Late 18th Century
Height 39cm, width 18cm, depth 12cm
Dating from the latter part of the 18...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze, Rouge Marble and Jewelled Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This majestic three-piece clock set is truly a sight to behold, and features beautifully contrasting rouge marble, gilt bronze and glittering jewels. The set comprises a central cloc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Neo-Classical Style Figural Ormolu Clock by Charpentier & Cie
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This large and impressive clock is by the renown French Bronzier Lemerle Charpentier & Cie. It features Classical maidens holding a large urn form case surmounted by Cupid with his ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Gothic mantle clock with water automaton feature
Located in London, GB
Antique French Gothic mantle clock with water automaton feature. The Gothic case with patinated bronze against ormolu is typical of the period circa 1840. The ormolu is of fire/merc...
Category
1840s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
A Louis XVI Ormolu Figural Cartel Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
A Louis XVI Ormolu Figural Cartel Clock, the circular white enamel dial signed "Baudoin A Paris" within a cartouche-shaped case surmounted by an urn and ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality gilt bronze and porcelain figural mantel clock. The figure of a maiden placing a garland of flowers over the cherub’s head.
Origin: French
Date: circa 1880
Dimen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Clock of Borne Shape and of Hero and Leander
Located in London, GB
French Charles X period patinated bronze and original mercury gilded ormolu "Borne" clock.
Fine clock with superb ormolu in the shape of a borne (or milestone).
The subject that of...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Ormolu Grandfather Clock
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine 19th century french Louis XV style ormolu-mounted mahogany grandfather clock, having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts, with three cherubs in clouds around the white and black en...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$44,257 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Gun Dog
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning ormolu clock by Achille Brocot & Delettrez, celebrating hunting and fishing. Finely made in mercury fire gilded Bronze Doré and mounted with Sèvres style porcelain. It fea...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th century French decorative toleware garniture set
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French decorative toleware garniture set, circa 1880.
Fine example of a 3 piece garniture set, hand painted toleware decorated with ornate ormolu mounts. Clock fitted w...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
C19th French Gilded ormolu Clock set.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A French late 19th Century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu clock set. The clock having a classical urn mounted to the top, Lion mask drop handles either...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive late 19th century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Having three putti mounted to the top each playing musical instruments. The clock having an ei...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock, Leroy
Located in New York, NY
Louis XVI ormolu-mounted Mantel Clock
signed Julien Leroy A Paris
France, 18th century
A similar clock sold at Sothebys New York for $81,250 (Important ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique 19th C. French Bronze Ormolu and Porcelain Clock Set By Raingo Frères
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions (Clock) - H: 16 1/2 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in
Dimensions (Candelabras) - H: 14 3/4 in W: 8 1/2 in D: 8 1/2 in
This exquisite 19th-century clock set, crafted by the ren...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti
Located in Miami, FL
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti.
Samuel Marti et Cie clocks can be found on display at the Metropolit...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$18,750 Sale Price / set
25% Off
An Extremely Fine and Rare 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Amersham, GB
An exquisite Louis XV style gilt and patinated bronze cartel clock. The eight-day two train bell striking movement, with vertically planted platform cylinder escapement and stamped with S. Marti et Cie MEDAILLE D'ARGENT. 1889 roundel and serial number 647 to backplate.
The dial formed as a deep blue and gold flecked enamel dome applied with gilt Roman numerals and stars set within billowing clouds interspersed with sunburst rays. Applied with three patinated bronze cherubs in flight, around the dial attending to a floral garland.
Amongst the clouds can be found a pair of doves, a horn and arrows, a quiver and bow. This coupled with the cherubs and flower garland would suggest this clock was made as a love token or wedding present. The symbolism of love, marriage and fertility, the cherubs representing the three Greek Erotes...
Category
1890s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Giant Rouge Marble Carriage Clock
By A.D. Mougin
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...
Category
1870s French Late Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Patinated bronze and ormolu mantel clock housed in an oval ribbed case with raised plinth with fine engine turned band and res...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Bronze Ormolu Mounted Tall Case Clock Manner of Zwiener
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 92 1/2 in W: 24 in D: 17 in
This magnificent French Louis XV style tall case clock represents the pinnacle of turn of the century horological artistry, executed in ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Quality 19th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu & Porcelain Mantle Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality 19th century French Louis XVI ormolu and porcelain mantel clock, the case cast as a seated farm boy with floral rimmed hat, holding a single rose, by a pair of Doves, rake, p...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Charles X Ormolu Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Charles X Ormolu Figural Mantel Clock, circa 1830, depicting Clio, muse of History, standing beside a pedestal, centered by a silvered dial, the movement strike on bell, on a rectang...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Industrial Series Nautical Desk Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This stylish desk clock made in the last quarter of the 19th century has a french eight day movement with a lever platform escapement. the movement is housed in a drum forming the ce...
Category
Late 19th Century French Industrial Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Brass, Enamel, Nickel, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XV Style Mantel Clock
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique French 19th century mantel clock.
This exquisite mantel clock has a Sevres porcelain dial plate and other Sevres porcelain decorations.
The movement with spring suspension. ...
Category
1890s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Charles X "The Serpent and The Eagle" Ormolu Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Charles X "The Serpent and The Eagle" Ormolu Clock, circa 1830, the circular dial with strike on bell movement, signed "Charles a Paris", surmounted by the serpent and the eagle from...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Period Portico Clock in Tulipwood, Fine Inlay, Ormolu Mounts-France, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Portico style French tulipwood clock with Boulle style fine inlays of mother-of-pearl and bronze. Eight day French movement with a grid-iron ormolu pendulum...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Empire Gilt Bronze Table Clock by Claude Gallé, France, 19th Century
By Claude Galle
Located in Lisbon, PT
This rare early 19th-century French Empire style gilt bronze mantle clock was created by the renowned Claude Gallé for the 1807 Exhibition.
Gallé is considered one of the finest bro...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
$6,656 Sale Price
20% Off
Charles X Ormolu "Cupid" Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Charles X Ormolu "Cupid" Mantel Clock, circa 1830, the blue painted globular clock surmounted by Cupid upholding a birds nest, standing on a cloud, the white enamel dial, with strike...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This stunning clock expertly showcases the ingenuity of its maker, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and its smart styling in the opulent Napoleon III style will make it an excellent addition t...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
By Miroy Frères
Located in London, GB
This sophisticated gilt bronze mantel clock is an elegant piece of mid-19th century design, beautifully cast and gilded and set with two delicate Sèvres style porcelain panels. The clock case's finest feature is the charmingly naturalistic scene at its top, showing a full-length sculpture of a female figure sitting with a basket and two doves. They are displayed on a naturalistic, oval-shaped plinth, which is decorated all around its exterior with painstakingly intricate foliate motifs.
Either side of the plinth there are two Sevres style porcelain panels, each of which shows a winged putto. One putto is shown writing, while the other is shown holding a dove. Each is set inside a turquoise blue border decorated with delicate gilt scrolls. In the centre of the plinth sits the clock dial, which is enamelled and contains Roman numerals. It is signed 'Prize Medal 1851 / Miroy Fres Brevetes / Paris' after the clock's maker, Miroy Freres...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Charles X Ormolu Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Charles X Ormolu Figural Clock, circa 1830, the circular white enamel dial, with strike on bell movement, flanked by a standing muse resting besid...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France. A French mantel clock in gilt bronze. Neoclassical symbols such Cup...
Category
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$4,500 Sale Price
40% Off
French White Marble Clock Retailed by Tiffany, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Remarkable 19th century French Louis XVI style ormolu mounted white marble clock with love birds.
Retailed by Tiffany.
The clock is surmounted...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Enamel
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Wonderful French Marble Ormolu Bronze Cherub Putti Large Clock Monbro Aine Paris
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French 19th Century Marble & Ormolu Bronze Mounted Cherub / Putti Holding A Lyre Seated Above A Branch With Foliage Large And Extremely Well Executed Clock By Monbro Aine...
Category
19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XV Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock by Balthazar
By Michel Baltazar
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock beautifully illustrates the classical myth of ‘The Abduction of Europa’. In this story, the god Zeus falls in love with a mortal woman called Europa. To seduce her, Zeus transforms himself into a white bull. Europa then mounts the bull and Zeus whisks her away from her home to Crete. Europa becomes the Queen of Crete and bears Zeus several children.
The clock takes the form of a patinated bronze bull which is saddled with a gilt bronze (ormolu) clock case. This case features a circular white enamel dial with black Roman and Arabic Numerals, as well as the maker’s name ‘Michel Baltazar...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Small Ormolu French Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Small French Ormolu Cartel clock in a finely decorated case.
Enamel dial with Roman numerals and original gilded hands.
Eight day Fr...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze Mounted Malachite Turning Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze mounted malachite turning mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 75cm, width 28cm, depth 25.5cm
The malachite mantel clock case is st...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, 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...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Sèvres Neoclassical Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Directoire clock attributed to Sèvres. Beautifully sculpted biscuit porcelain in white and Wedgwood blue jasper ware col...
Category
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Second Empire Period Patinated and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece mantel clock set contains a clock and two candelabra. The set was produced circa 1860, during the Napoleon III period, and demonstrates the eclecticism typical to de...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Miniature Single Fusee Bracket Clock By William Johnston, Strand, London
By Johnson
Located in Amersham, GB
An extremely small single fusee bracket clock in a scalloped mahogany case. The eight day movement having a half deadbeat escapement with a T bar pendulum with hold fast, is beautifu...
Category
1830s English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
One Piece Engraved Repeating Carriage Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
A fine early repeating carriage clock in an engraved one piece case. With a gilt engin turned mask, and a white enamel dial and roman numerals.
The gilded case is engraved with foliate scrollwork, the 8 day repeating movement with English lever platform escapement strikes on a gong, is regulated by a silvered english lever platform escapement, although unsigned this clock is of the highest quality and is likely to have been made by one of the great Parisian makers. The gong block is signed FD in an oval cartouche, this supplier was used by both Henri Jacot...
Category
1850s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Steel, Ormolu
French Empire antique Apollo clock by Lepine and Rabiat.
Located in London, GB
A fine, large and important French Empire clock of Apollo playing his lyre in patinated bronze, ormolu and antique vert marble. The dial is signed for the important maker Lepine and ...
Category
1810s Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, 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...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XVI style ormolu clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite 19th-century French clock set features a stunning combination of gilded ormolu and verde marble. The centerpiece clock is elegantly adorned with intricate gilded detai...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th Century
Measures: Height 52cm, width 28cm, depth 17.5cm
This superb Empi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm
This fine gilt bronze man...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, 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 Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu and White Marble Clock - Cherubs
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful original antique French clock modelled in the Louis XVI style as two charming cherubs carrying the clock on laurel wreaths. The pendulum with applied musical motifs, swin...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in
This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A charming French 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture, having four ormolu cherubs supporting the urn clock a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$10,372 / set
19th Century Sevres Style Gilded Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful French 19th century gilded ormolu mantel clock, having a putti mounted to the top holding garlands of flowers, draping down the case, Rams heads and urns of flowers. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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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