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Material: Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Grandfather Clock
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Late 19th century French Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted parquetry longcase grandfather clock. Surmounted an ormolu figure of a classical seated lady holding a globe,
circa ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
19th Century Burr Walnut Bracket Clock by Lenzkirch
By Lenzkirch
Located in Amersham, GB
A quarter striking bracket clock in a fine figured burr walnut case with ormolu mounts and sound frets backed in sage green silk. A gilded dial with s...
Category
1890s German Late Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Steel, Ormolu
Louis XVI Ormolu Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock, Paris, 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock, Paris, 1800.
The white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals is contained ...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$4,720 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted White Marble Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted White Marble Clock, 19th century, the tapering marble block mounted with a frieze and ram's heads issuing foliate and fruit swags, centered by the dial...
Category
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$2,800 Sale Price
24% Off
A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU BUST OF HOMER
After the Antique
The bearded bust of Homer on a rectangular clock decorate with lyres and gryphon heads on the side
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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
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
Fine 19th Century French Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock with Marble Case
Located in Worcester, GB
Fine 19th Century French Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock with Marble Case
A finely cast French mantel clock dating to the third quarter of the 19th century, in the Louis XVI revival s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, 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
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm
This mantel clock feat...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Annular Signed Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most spectacular and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble, ormolu and patinated bronze annular clock, signed MARTI, circa 1840. Raised by a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
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
Neoclassical 18th Century Ormolu and Marble Lyre Clock
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical 18th Century ormolu and marble lyre clock
French, Louis XVI period
Height 64m, width 27cm, depth 12cm
This exquisite mantel clock was ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, 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
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
French Napoleon III mantel clock in ormolu and pink porcelain
Located in London, GB
A most attractive French porcelain and ormolu mantel clock with a profusion of porcelain panels. The original gilding is in excellent condition and there are lovely silver highlights...
Category
1870s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Directoire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Maniere
By C. Maniere
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock signed Maniere a Paris. A magnificent antique French Directoire mantel clock in patinated bronze and finest ormolu signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume Maniere who was working in the Rue...
Category
Early 1800s French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Directoire Egyptian Style Mantel Clock Signed Leclerc
Located in London, GB
Beautiful antique French Directoire period Egyptian or Gout d'Egypt ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Superb quality and condition of the entir...
Category
1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
A Diminutive Bracket Clock by Adams of Lombard Street
By Adams
Located in Amersham, GB
A rosewood and ormolu mounted bracket clock. With an eight day twin fusee movement, signed Adams of Lombard Street on the 5 inch silvered dial and movement back plate. Striking on a ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, 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
Early 19th Century French Sienna Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional quality early 19th century Sienna marble and ormolu mantle clock, the sienna marble case surmounted by an urn, raised on ormolu bun feet and a rectangular plinth steep...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Siena Marble, Ormolu
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Located in London, GB
A fine model of Chronos carrying off time. The superbly modelled and cast figure of Chronos with scythe in one hand and carrying the clock under his arm. Set on a fine marble base wi...
Category
1820s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Period Neoclassical Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI period neoclassical ormolu and malachite mantel clock
French, Late 18th Century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 36cm, depth 14cm
Encaps...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Fine American Gilt Bronze Standing Clock by Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Antique chased Ormolu clock case ornamented with hand pierced all over foliate pattern scrollwork, achieved through repousse and engraving, enclosing a p...
Category
Early 20th Century Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Clock Set Marble Champleve Garniture Belle Epoque 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French three-piece clock set embellished with marble and ormolu mounts together with champlevé enamel
Circa 1880
In full working order with mercury pendulum
Bought from a de...
Category
1880s French Provincial Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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
Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock
The clock face is flanked by one child playing the french horn,the other playing with finger cymbals, all raised on an elabor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Circular Movement Mantel Clock by Leroy & Cie
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style circular movement mantel clock by Leroy & Cie
French, circa 1880
Measures: Height 72cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm
This superb mantel clock, crafted from white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze—takes the shape of an Amphora vase form case above a cylindrical stem and a circular foot, the stem and foot ornamented with classicising gilt bronze mounts. The foot of the vase sits on an architecturally formed plinth, which is decorated with inset gilt bronze relief panels...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Clock, Directoire Period, Portico Form, Signed Revel Paris
Located in London, GB
A French Directoire ormolu mounted black marble portico clock of Egyptian temple form. Set upon ormolu toupee feet with a rectangular black marble base. Black marble columns rise up ...
Category
1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Early and Fine Bronze, Ormolu and Specimen Marble Clock with Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large, fine and exquisite, early antique French clock depicting cupid holding a sharpened golden arrow. It is of stunning quality and fully serviced and tested by our clockmakers. ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Aurora in Her Chariot Pulled by Her Winged
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire Ormolu mantel clock of a chariot drawn by two winged horses carrying the chariot with a female figure. Thi...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
Located in New York, NY
A Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
A magnificent and large clock with gilt bronze Cupid mounted to the clock face. He is flanked by a painter's palette and a...
Category
Late 19th Century Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Portico Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu portico clock. The clock raised on a rectangular base with finely chased borders and satin and burnish finish interlocking circ...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Rococo Style Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
Rococo Style Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu Carriage Clock
French, late 19th Century
Dimensions: Height 18cm, width 10cm, depth 8.5cm
The carriage clock is of rectangular form an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Patinated Bronze Putto Seated on a Gilt Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Majestic patinated bronze putto seated on a gilt mantel clock.
Modelled with a seated putto holding two doves, the putto leaning over a gilt mantel clock with garland, surmounted ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1880
A fine French, gilt bronze ormolu mantel clock with its porcelain face, the case with elaborate garland decorations culminating in a volute krater of flowers ab...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$18,119
Frenc Marble Clock with Patinated Bronze Grand Tour Sculpture of the Arrotino
Located in London, GB
Antique French Sienna marble and ormolu clock with patinated bronze Grand Tour sculpture of the Arrotino (the "Blade-Sharpener"). From the late Charles X period the clock is construc...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Siena Marble, 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...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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
English Regency Neo-Classical Mantel Clock of Psyche and Cupid
Located in London, GB
English Regency neo-classical mantel clock of Psyche and Cupid. A fine case of rouge marble, patinated bronze and original ormolu. The superb rouge marble breakfront base with D ends...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, 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
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
$1,850 Sale Price
61% Off
French Louis Xvith Period Lyre Clock
Located in London, GB
A very attractive Louis XVIth period French antique mantel clock of lyre form. Set on four shaped feet the sharp ended oval base with inset ormol...
Category
1780s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Strut Clock in The Manner of Thomas Cole by Howell, James & Co.
Located in Amersham, GB
This beautiful desk timepiece is a rare strut clock, in the form of a gilded scallop shell, with an engine turned silvered roman dial set behind a bevelled glass with distinctive fle...
Category
1860s English Baroque Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique three-piece Meiji period Japonisme vase clock set
French/Japanese, late 19th century
Measures: Clock height 47cm, diameter 22cm
Candelabra height 55cm, width 25cm, depth 2...
Category
Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Raingo Freres Three-Piece Bronze Cherub Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This graceful, joyous antique clock set is a reminder of why the 19th century Parisian clockmaking firm Raingo Freres is so highly revered: the beautiful...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$24,159 / set
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Sévres Porcelain And Ormolu Annular Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sévres porcelain and Ormolu annular clock. The clock is raised by a square Ormolu base with a Coeur de Rai border des...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by most elegant scroll acanthus leaves centering a beautiful foliate reserve. ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
$5,150
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
French Charles X Crystal and Ormolu Mantel Clock Signed Lepine et Cie a Paris
By Lepine
Located in London, GB
French Charles X crystal and ormolu mantel clock signed Lepine et Cie a Paris. This is a fabulous and very unusual mantel clock from circa 1820. ...
Category
1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Category
1810s Belgian 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.
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