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Material: 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
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
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 Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period ormolu, Gris St. Anne and white Carrara marble clock, signed 'Mailland, a Paris'. The clock is raised by six mottled ...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Eagle and Marble Ball Clock, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze eagle and marble ball clock. France, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Revival Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
A Rare 18th C. French Dore Bronze Clock w/ Putti & Musician, Att. Robert Osmond
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent and Rare French 18th-Century Doré Bronze Mantel Clock Attributed to Robert Osmond. The clock is designed in the form of an urn, supported by a central pedestal and a re...
Category
1750s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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
A French 19th century Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, by Mathieu Planchon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most delightful and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, signed by Mathieu Planchon. This stunning clock is raised by six finely ch...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Sevres style porcelain panelled mantle clock, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu mantel clock with hand painted Sevres style porcelain plaques, depicting beautiful maidens. Having a porcelain lidded urn to the...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
An Exquisite Antique French Period Empire Neoclassical gilt bronze figural clock embellished with figure of a neoclassical woman and bird.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Steel, Enamel
French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI-Styl Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Fine Louis XVI-Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Mantel Clock
After a model by Étienne-Maurice Falconet
The urn-form pendule à cercles t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Bronze and Porphyry Clock by Julien Le Roy, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
A magnificent 19th century French Louis XVI ormolu and patinated bronze mounted Porphyry clock with two reclining bronze cherubs playing a gilt harp. The movement made by Dargent Medallie Company with silk suspension. Signed by Julien Le Roy...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Porphyry, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th C. French Ormolu Champlevé Enameled Clock Garniture Set by Japy Frères
By Japy Frères
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century french gilt bronze/ormolu cloisonné champlevé enameled mantle clock garniture set by Japy Frères
By: Japy Frères
Material: bronze, enamel, glass, metal, ormolu, paint, cork
Technique: cast, champlevé, cloissoné, cold-painted, enameled, gilt, hand-painted, metalwork, molded
Dimensions: 6 in x 19.5 in x 15 in
Date: late 19th century, circa 1890
Style: Napoleon III, Rococo Revival, Neoclassicism, Louis XVI, Empire
Place of origin: France
The Japy family is a french industrial dynasty originally from Beaucourt in the Territoire de Belfort. They owned the second largest french company in terms of capital during the Second Empire. Its influential members left their mark on the french industrial landscape through numerous innovations, particularly in clockmaking, typewriters and pumps, as well as in labor organization and workers' social life in the 19th century.
This magnificent late 19th century french mantle clock garniture, work of the eminent Japy family, radiates the opulent decorative style of the Rococo Revival. A four glass...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Biedermeier Period Wood and Gilt Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Austrian Biedermeier period gilt and polychromed wood clock. Chiseled gold Swiss movement, signed: P.Francois a' Nion.
Category
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock by Linke
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century ormolu and white marble mantel clock by Linke
French, Late 19th Century
Height 56cm, width 39cm, depth 25cm
This impressive mantel clock commands attention with i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire Ormolu and marble vert mantel clock of Cupid whispering. Wonderful original fire gilded mercury ormolu. The quality of the casting and chasing is superb, from the indiv...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock Garniture
By A.D. Mougin
Located in London, GB
A fine quality late 19th century French bronze and ormolu garniture, the 8-day striking enamelled dial movement by AD Mougin - Paris, contained in ormolu cas...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
A French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted White Marble Clock by Denière
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted White Marble Clock
In the form of a fluted column, the circular enamel dial with Arabic chapters and pierced lyre and fleur-de-lys shaped giltmetal ...
Category
1860s French Louis XVI 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
Monumental Ormolu Bronze Clock Mantel by Maison Marquis Movement by Languereau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and monumental 19th century French ormolu bronze mantel clock by Maison Marquis.
The movement by Languereau.
Paris, Circa 1855
The dial signed 'Marquis A Paris...
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Bourdin À Paris Figural Ormolu Mantel Clock, circa 1890
By Bourdin
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental Bourdin French figural gilt bronze mantel clock, depicting two women seated on the plinth with garland decoration and a c...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Minature Onyx + Ormolu Table/Mantel Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An unusual late 19th Century French minature gilded ormolu and carved Onyx mantle clock, in the style of a Louis XVI longcase clock. Having an enamel clock face and classical mounts....
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu
French Sevres style clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th Century Louis XVI Sevres style clock garniture. Having reclining maidens with garlands of flowers supporting an urn ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, 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
Large Louis XV Style Rococo Ormolu Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Large Louis XV style Rococo ormolu three-piece clock set by Barbedienne
French, late 19th century
Clock: height 58cm, width 51cm, depth 19cm
Candelabra: height 75cm, width 35cm, d...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Turquoise Sèvres Style Jeweled Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
A high quality gilt bronze and Turquoise Sèvres style jeweled Porcelain clock set. The clock surmounted by a covered urn and flanked by lion masks on each side, en suite with a pair of painted turquoise porcelain vases...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
18th Century French Marble & Gilt Bronze Clock, Claude Charles François Filon
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 18th Century French mantle clock, crafted from gilt bronze and marble, was made by one of the leading Parisian clockmakers of ...
Category
18th Century French Other Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu, Spelter
Fannières Frères Desk Clock "Time Allegory" circa 1860
By Fannière Frères
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Fannières Frères Desk Clock Time Allegory
Chased gilt and silvered bronze Desk Clock
With an allegorical theme of Time in the form of a cherub suppor...
Category
1860s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Clock in Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Signed Revel Rue De Richelieu
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock representing Ceres. The crowning of Ceres is a stunning clock of very fine quality and with totally original fire gilded...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sèvres porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine topie shaped feet below the ormolu base which is decorated with elegant...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Art Nouveau Grandfather Clock
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau bronze dore grandfather clock with marble & onyx pedestal top and base. *Not working
Category
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Ormolu
A French ‘Chariot’ Three-pieces Clock Garniture attributed to F.Linke circa 1890
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A French Ormolu and Patinated-Bronze ‘Chariot’ Three-pieces Clock Garniture
Attributed to François Linke (1855 - 1946), Paris, Late 19th/ Century
The clock representing a putto on ...
Category
1890s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Charles X Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, and Gilt Bronze Figurative Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X malachite, lapis lazuli, and gilt bronze figurative clock
French, c. 1830
Measures: Height 75cm, width 53cm, depth 23cm
This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Charles X style. The clock, wrought from malachite, lapis lazuli, and gilt bronze, features the distinctive feature of most Charles X period clocks: a large sculptural surmount. In the present clock, the sculptural surmount depicts Urania, Greek muse of astronomy. She is accompanied by a lapis lazuli globe...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French 19th century Rococo gilded ormolu mantel clock. The eight day movement, chimes on the hour and half hour.
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
18th Century Louis XVI Cartel Clock By Le Nepveu
By Nicolas-Antoine Le Nepveu
Located in Amersham, GB
A rare 18th century ormolu cartel clock by Nicolas-Antoine Le Nepveu a Paris . This exceptional Cartel clock in a gilt bronze or Ormolu case still with its original mechanism. The 8 ...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XV Cartel D'applique
Located in Amersham, GB
This beautiful small cartel clock dates from the late 1760’s. This rare survivor is in excellent original condition, the large circular eight day movement strikes the hours on a bell...
Category
1760s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Steel, Ormolu
A Large French Rouge Marble Gilt Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock by A. Beurdeley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Napoleon III Period Rouge Marble Gilt & Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Movement marked: J. Lefebvre Fils Paris & Numbered1938
Movement stamped: Medaille De Bronze J. Marti & Cie & Numbered 92
Dial signed: A. Beurdeley Fila, Paris
France, Circa 1875
Dimensions: Height: 24" (61cm), Width: 22" (56cm) Depth: 11" (28cm)
Excellent Working Condition
Biography
French — Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley was a Parisian cabinetmaker who specialized in the manufacture of luxurious French furnishings...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
A most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Onyx and Ormolu mantel clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Onyx and Ormolu mantel clock. This exceptional clock themed around the classical art is raised on ball feet below a two...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu
French 19th century Louis XVI st. Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Clock, by Denière
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock, by Jean Francois Denière. This stunning clock is raised by four O...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Ormolu and White Marble Winged Cherub Clock
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Quality French Ormolu and White Marble Winged Cherub Clock.
Date: 19th century
Origin: French
Dimension: 25 1/2 in. high, 23 in. wide, 10 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Louis XV Ormolu Clock of Hannibal and Scipio Signed Amant
Located in London, GB
Are antique French Louis XV ormolu mantel clock of Hannibal and Scipio signed Amant. This rare and unusual clock, in extremely fine condition an...
Category
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and bronze Louis XVI style mantel (fireplace) clock, have cloven hoofed putti supporting the clock, with Bacchus influenced deco...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Lyre Shaped Clock with Marble, Ormolu, and Cut Glass
By Maple & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Fine French Lyre shaped marble and Ormolu Clock
Origin:French
Date: Late 19th century
retailed by Maple & Co .
Dimensions: 29" ht. x 14" wd. x 4.5" dp.
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, 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...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Clock in the Louis XVI Taste
Located in London, GB
A mantle clock in the Louis XVI taste by Raingo Freres, Paris
Constructed in gilt bronze, and dressed with Bleu Celeste framed porcelain panels, decorated in polychromes, in the '...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Regency Style Gilt Bronze Clock, Thuret A Paris
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A Monumental 19th Century Regency Style Gilt-Bronze Inlaid Grand Cartel de Applique, In the Manner of André-Charles Boulle. This impressive and large cartel clock has a circular, arabesque chased, brass dial with Roman numerals on enamelled cartouches, with engraved seconds and steel hands. The rear of the clock is open cased. The dial sits within a waisted case, with large acanthus mounted gilt-bronze volutes, surmounted by a palmette mascaron and a figure of Jupiter as a child and an enamel cartouche signed ‘Thuret A PARIS’. It is supported on large foliate mounted scrolls and decorated to the sides with Boulle marquetry panels and lion mask mounts. An eighteenth-century version of this clock by ‘Mynuel A Paris’ (Maitre 1720) is illustrated by Tardy in ‘La Pendule Francaise’, 1ere partie, p. 141.
Initially conceived by C. Cressent, the design was further refined by A.C. Boulle before being embraced by J.J. de Saint-Germain. The earliest examples of this distinctive style bear the signature of clockmaker J. III Thuret. Only a handful of identical specimens of this model are known to exist. One such identical piece resides in the Frick Collection in New York, originating from the Dalva Brothers...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire vine orientated vase clock signed Blanc Fils
Located in London, GB
A fine French Empire vase or urn clock in patinated bronze and fire/ mercury gilt ormolu. With berry finial, fine Bacchus mounts to the shoulders o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Rare 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Inclined Plane Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An extremely rare Louis XVI mantel clock 'a cremaillere', a movement driven by its own weight, where the moving drum barrel is running down an inclined whi...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Clock
Located in Hudson, NY
A very finely cast gilt bronze clock depicting Psyche at her toilet. The reflective mirror of polished bronze and that each element is cast separately then screwed on is an excellent...
Category
19th Century French Empire 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.