French Mid 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Clock, by Bardon, Montpellier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu clock, by Bardon, Montpellier. The clock has two love birds on the left looking over to a patinated bronze cupid, standing pro...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 18th Century Louis XV Period/Louis XVI Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu nine light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by an outstanding bottom acorn inverted finial amidst richly chased acanthus leaf patterns. Each S scrolled arm is decorated with fine acanthus leaves ending in striking floral candle cups and reeded twisted bobeches. The reeded straight central fut leads up to a large, attractive acanthus leaf canopy. With all original gilt throughout. Julien Le Roy (1686-1759) a renowned 18th Century Parisian...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This endearing French mantel clock combines lustrous ormolu and sumptuous white marble, making for a light and yet majestic work that perfectly compliments the masterfully executed N...
Marble, Ormolu
English Regency Black Marble Mantle Clock by Payne of London
Located in London, GB
A Fine English Regency Derbyshire Black Marble Mantel Clock by Payne, 163 New Bond Street, London, Circa 1825 A refined and architecturally pure English Regency mantel clock in Derb...
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu 8 Day Mantle Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu 8-Day striking Clock with silver dial (stamped Douon on inner plate and one spring dated 1824) mounted in unusual bronze & ormolu case depicting centurion slaying dragon...
Bronze, Ormolu
Unusual French Gilt Bronze Chinoiserie Clock of Lovers
Located in New York, NY
19th c. French Gilt Dore Bronze Chinoiserie Clock possibly made for the Chinese market. The intricately dressed figures are highly detailed wi...
Ormolu
Antique Eclectic Style Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique eclectic style gilt bronze clock set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils French, late 19th century Dimensions: Clock height 78cm, width 36cm, depth 24cm, candelabra height ...
Ormolu
pair of French 19th century Ormolu clock and barometer, signed by Colin, Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu clock and barometer, signed by William Colin, Paris. Each stunning clock and barometer are set within ...
Ormolu
French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock
By F. E. Becker & Co, F. Barbedienne Foundry
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...
Ormolu
Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exquisite clock set is designed in an elegant 18th-Century Rococo manner, in the style of Sèvres porcelain wares. Rococo is characterised by its use of pastel colours, graceful ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Figurative Mantel Clock by Dasson
By Henry Dasson
Located in London, GB
Antique patinated bronze and ormolu figurative mantel clock by Dasson French, 1888 Measures: Height 30cm, width 30cm, depth 13cm This fine mantel clock is by the celebrated make...
Bronze, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Pink Sevres Style Porcelain Antique Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exquisite pink porcelain clock set is made in the Louis XVI style and comprises of two vases flanking a central clock. The porcelain clock dial is delicately painted and bears a...
Ormolu
$38,604 / set
Rare 19th Century Sevres Style Clock Set
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very fine quality French late 19th century Sevres style and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra, each with ram's head and female mask mounts, dra...
Ormolu
$22,500
Figural Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gilt bronze musical cherubs figural clock.
Ormolu
Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mantel clock has been designed in an 18th century Rococo style, which was popularised by the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory. The clock has been expertly cast in bronze a...
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Louis XV Style Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock Set by Denière et FIls
Located in London, GB
Antique Rococo Louis XV style ormolu and patinated bronze clock set by Denière et Fils French, c. 1870 Clock: Height 59cm, width 52cm, depth 23cm Candelabra: Height 71cm, width 33...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Greek Revolutiom Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X period Greek Revolution or Hellenistic mantel clock. The clock in original ormolu with a Turkish figure to the top. The silvered dial ha...
Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu mantel clock standing on a stepped base and resting on turned, chased feet with acanthus leaf decoration below a finely chased...
Ormolu
Antique Marble, Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Gervais
Located in London, GB
This three-piece set—composed of a clock and a pair of flanking candelabra—is a truly unique and delightful piece of decorative art. The clock is modelled in the image of an 18th century sedan chair – that is, a covered chair sat in by a member of the social elite, which was carried on poles by two people. This chair-shaped clock case is crafted from gilt bronze (ormolu) and decorated with festoons and a flower finial. At its centre, there is a circular white enamel dial, which features Arabic Numbers, colorful swag paintings, and the manufacturer’s name, 'Fd Gervais / Ft du Bronzes / A Paris'. The lower part of the case is glazed, allowing one to see the clock’s sun-burst pendulum. Like a sedan chair, the clock case is carried by two patinated bronze putti...
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
$6,893 / set
19th Century French Sevres Porcelain Clock Set
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French, 19th century pink sevres porcelain and gilded ormolu clock set. Having a classical urn to the top, an eight day chiming movement. A romantic scene painted to t...
Ormolu
$15,166 / set
French Sevres, Louis XVI Style Clock Set, 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French Sevres style porcelain and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having a pair of cherubs either side of the clock and central urn, classical ha...
Ormolu
Unusually Large 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Obelisk Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The movement is contained in an unusually large (67 cm!) white marble obelisk which is surmounted by an armillary sphere finial. The front with a panel chased with nymphs supporting ...
Marble, Ormolu
$5,294Sale Price|20% Off
French 19th Century Classical Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century classical French Louis XVI style mantel clock, having gilded ormolu figures of a naked maiden looking in a mirror with two cherubs to her side, above a...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Sevres Porcelain Garniture De Cheminée
By Henry Dasson
Located in London, GB
An important Garniture de Cheminée in the manner of Henry Dasson Constructed in well cast and chased gilt bronze, with 'Sevres' type 'jewelled...
Ormolu, Bronze
Grand Figural Cartel Clock, After a Design by Gilles-Marie Oppenord
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important and Extremely Rare Grand Figural Cartel Clock, After a Design by Gilles-Marie Oppenord. Of grand proportions and of exceptional quality this rare cartel clock is after...
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...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Bronze and Ormolu Clock, 19th Century, French, Silk Suspension Striking
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French bronze and ormolu eight day silk suspension striking clock contained in ornate case surmounted by well-cast and gadrooned urn...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...
Marble, Ormolu
French Ormolu and Blue Porcelain Four Seasons Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French ormolu and blue porcelain mantel clock. The blue porcelain with blue ground and decorated with baskets of flowers, fruit and doves, ...
Ormolu
White Marble Mounted Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking twin light candelabra, the clock with a bronze putto holding the clock and seated upon various ormolu decorations above an ormolu mo...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Delafontaine
Located in London, GB
The acclaimed French bronze foundry, Delafontaine, created this remarkable mantel clock. At the time this piece was crafted, in c.1860, the company was directed by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). The firm was famous for its high-quality artistic bronzes, which can today be viewed in major art collections, such as the Louvre in Paris. Shaped like an upside down ‘T’, this gilt bronze...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
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...
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Clock Signed 'Raingo Freres, Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Raingo Frères Paris. The clock is ...
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...
Enamel, Ormolu
$26,000 / set
French Ormolu and Marble Clock Garniture
Located in New York, NY
Fine and important French ormolu and marble cherubs clock garniture Comprising a clock and a pair of five-light candelabra. Origin: Fr...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Large 19th Century French Mantel Clock by Gervais
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu, bronze and white marble mantel clock. Having scrolling foliate and ribbon decoration, two putti carrying the eight d...
Marble, 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
19th Century Marble mantle clock and calendar.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century black and rouge marble mantle clock with calendar. Having a gilded ormolu foliate mount to the top, a gilded clock face with an eight day, hour and h...
Belgian Black Marble, Breccia Marble, Ormolu
French Charles X miniature mantel clock of Cupid carrying time
Located in London, GB
Fabulous antique French Charles X miniature mantel clock of Cupid carrying off time. This has to be one of my all time favourite French Empire or Charles X period mantel clocks. Enti...
Ormolu
19th Century Pink 'Sevres' Porcelain Mantel Clock
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very pretty 19th century French pink 'Sevres' porcelain and gilded ormolu mantel clock. Having classical foliate and swag decoration surrounding the pink porcelain plaques which de...
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu mantel clock, having Sevres style porcelain panels, depicting a romantic scene, a gilded ormolu urn with swags above the clock f...
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...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock with Champleve Decoration by Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Norwich, GB
French gilt ormolu mantle clock with beautiful champlevé decoration with turned pilasters, architectural pediment with four turned finials. Gilded chapter ring with Roman numerals...
Ormolu
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...
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Louis XVI style, Mantel Clock 17"(43cm)
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu mantel clock. Having a cherub playing a base violin, a four glass case mounted with ormolu foliate and swag decoration, an eight...
Ormolu
$11,719 / set
Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock set, which comprises of a mantel clock and a pair of vases, was designed in France in circa 1870 in a wonderful Renaissance Revival style. The set has been craft...
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Large French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze cartel clock
Located in Tarzana, CA
A large French Louis XV style gilt bronze cartel clock. After the model by Jacques Caffièri. The cartouche-shaped case representing sunrise an...
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...
Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze clock set French, late 19th century Clock height 52cm, width 39cm, depth 15cm Vases height 38cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm This be...
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Ormolu Mantel Hen House Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French ormolu mantel clock, having 8-day movement with enamel dial, mounted in “hen house” with urn and flower mounts to side, the oval...
Ormolu
Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock
By Jacob Petit
Located in London, GB
Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock French, c.1825 Height 36cm, width 18.5m, depth 10.5cm Set within a beautiful porcelain case, parcel gilt, and flor...
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Sèvres Style Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Cobalt Blue Sèvres Style Clock Set Comprising: a round clock with a final with two birds; a pair of five-light candleabra with sc...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Arch top French mantel clock in a finely decorated Ormolu case with classical scene to the front, standing on a mahogany base with brass banding and resting on brass feet. Enamel ...
Ormolu
Gilt-Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer Set by Lerolle Frères
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze cartel clock and Barometer set by Lerolle Frères French, c. 1860 Measures: Barometer: height 71cm, width 43cm, depth 15cm Clock: height 7...
Enamel, 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...
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This neoclassical style French mantel clock is crafted from patinated and gilt bronze in addition to flecked black and grey marble. The clock body is formed from a lopsidedly mounted...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Massive Mantel Clock of Psyche and Cupid Signed Deniere
Located in London, GB
French massive mantel clock of Psyche and Cupid signed Deniere. Superb example after the original late 18th century model by Claud Michalon. This version was made by the famous early...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Japonisme Mantel Clock with Floral Champlevé Enamel
Located in London, GB
Antique French Japonisme mantel clock with floral Champlevé enamel French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 51cm, width 27.5cm, depth 22cm Beautifully wrought from patinated bronze and champlevé enamel, this mantel clock is designed in the Japonisme style. The style was popular in 19th Century Europe following the opening of Japan to trade and cultural exchange. The clock stands on four cabriole feet, with a pierced Japanese style apron to the bottom. The central case is stepped, with the main section of rectangular profile, and mounted with pierced patinated bronze vines...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This fine neoclassical style mantel clock is from the early 19th century. The clock is cast in gilt bronze, and features the surmounting figure of Asteria seated with the figure of a...
Ormolu, Bronze
Large French Art Nouveau Mantel Clock and Garniture
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Large French Art Nouveau Mantel Clock and Garniture This impressive clock set features a woman and child holding a floral branch with a bird perched above. A striking centrepiece...
Marble, Brass, Ormolu, Spelter
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.