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Material: 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Figural Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gilt bronze musical cherubs figural clock.
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$22,500
Miniature French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Soldier
Located in London, GB
Fine miniature French Empire clock in ormolu. Dating from the First French Empire period with original ormolu and with fine enamel dial and movement signed The clock stands upon fine and delicate toupee feet. The the base is an applied ormolu mount of crossed standards tied with ribbon and with laurel branches. To the left of the dial stands a soldier in greatcoat and bearskin chapeau with moustache epaulets and his arm in a sling and a decoration on his breast. He has his left hand raised and resting on a forget-me-not flower and laurel wreath in front of two crossed battle axes. The white enamel convex dial...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Restauration Period Opaline Glass Clock Set by De Boussiard
Located in London, GB
From the Restauration period; comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking vases, the central vase shaped clock with circular dial signed 'AUG. de Boussiard' and twin ormolu swa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Champleve enamel mantle clock, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu Champleve enamel mantle clock, having an urn finial to the top, columns supported by winged sphinx's. The eight day duration clo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Mid 19th Century Louis XVI St. Clock in Ormolu Signed ‘Beurdeley À Paris’
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most spectacular and sensational quality French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. clock in ormolu signed ‘BEURDELEY À PARIS’. The large scaled clock is raised by bun supports decorate...
Category
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
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
English Regency Neoclassical Library Clock
Located in London, GB
A superb English Regency library mantel (fireplace) clock in patinated bronze and original ormolu. Set on four finely cast feet with very finely cast inset ormolu mounts, and figures of two classically dressed females sitting back to back against the clock drum and reading from ormolu books. The clock drum is surmouted by a very finely cast ormolu eagle finial with wings out stretched. Above the bezel is a garland of acorns and leaves. The ormolu bezel surrounds a very fine white enamel, convex dial...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Mantel Clock of Empire Period of "Borne" Form
Located in London, GB
Attractive french Empire clock in patinated bronze and ormolu of milestone or "borne" form. Having very fine applied ormolu mounts to the front and side of the case with also a fine ...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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
$9,362 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Louis XV Tortoiseshell Boulle Clock by St Martin, Paris, circa 1720
Located in Norwich, GB
Louis XV tortoiseshell Boulle Timepiece with ‘Silent’ pull quarter repeat by St. Martin, Paris, circa 1720
Waisted case with fine ormolu mounts and cut brass inlay to the stained tortoiseshell with ‘mother of pearl’ and coloured floral decoration. Gilded top surmounted by a cherub feeding through a straw from a scallop shell over leafy corner mounts. Shaped bead-bordered glazed door applied with an apron mount of a child chromos holding a sandglass and staff, set within a leafy trail surround. Brass lined recessed arch windows to the sides, the interior of the case with symmetrical Rococo panel...
Category
1720s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Venus and Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock with Venus and Cupid
French, early 19th Century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 37.5cm, depth 13.5cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The clock includes a sculptural surmount of Venus accompanied by Cupid. Venus sits atop the square clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$8,261 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
Fine Quality French Empire Baccarat Style Crystal Vase Clock, circa 1860
By Baccarat
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality French Empire style Baccarat hobnail cut lead crystal glass two handled vase clock with ormolu-mounts, having a white enamel clock face with roman numerals and raised ...
Category
19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Louis XVI style gilded clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite French 19th-century clock set features a striking rouge marble base adorned with elegant gilded ormolu accents. The centerpiece showcases a detailed bronze statue of a...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Obelisk Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Signed: Joseph Gay Horloger du Roy A Turin
The movement is contained in a white marble obelisk which is surmounted by an armillary sphere finial. The front with a panel chased wit...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Directoire or Empire Clock with Cupid Riding a Dog
Located in London, GB
Magnificent and very rare French Directoire or Empire clock in patinated bronze and the finest highly worked ormolu. Set upon toupee feet below a rectangular ormolu base with applied...
Category
1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Samson Porcelain and Ormolu Chinoiserie Elephant Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Samson porcelain and ormolu Chinoiserie elephant clock
French, Late 19th Century
Height 24cm, width 17cm, depth 13cm
This exquisite and...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$4,626 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Sèvres Style Ormolu and Cobalt-Blue Painted Porcelain Clockset
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent Sèvres style gilt bronze and cobalt-blue 'Jeweled' painted porcelain clockset.
The central clock case surmounted by a ruby and pearl 'jeweled' coupe flanked by bracket...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Neoclassical Empire Style Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular mid 19th century French Neo-Classical Empire st. ormolu and marble clock. The clock is raised on a rectangular Vert Maurin marble base with ormolu supports. Centered at...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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 mantle in gilt bronze decorated with neoclassical symbols ...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$6,000 Sale Price
23% Off
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
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
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
French mantel clock housed in an ormolu case with stepped base and decorated feet, floral, wreath and cherub decoration. To the side of the dial is a class...
Category
1870s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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
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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI 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
Monumental Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze and Marble Clock with Putti in the Clouds
Located in New York, NY
A fine Louis XVI-style large gilt-bronze and greige Rococo marble figural mantel clock is surmounted by three dore bronze putti figures hanging floral adornments among clouds with lo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Industrial Series Marine small deskset of clock, barometer and thermometer
Located in London, GB
A very rare antique Industrial Series Marine deskset or compendium of clock, barometer and thermometer within an anchor and of small size.. Set upon an ormolu and rouge marble rectan...
Category
1880s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Biscuit De Sèvres Garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. Biscuit de Sèvres garniture clock set. The set has a pair of urns of prosperity with two cherubs on eac...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Ormolu and Marble Clock, Signed Déliau
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An incredible and extremely high quality French late 18th century Louis XVI period ormolu, white Carrara marble and black Belgian marble clock signed Déliau - Rue De La Bartillerie N...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
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
19th Century French Petite Sonnerie Ormolu Carriage Clock by Grohé with Calendar
Located in London, GB
A Petit Sonnerie carriage clock by Grohe of Paris
The gilt bronze case comprehensively engraved, and having a retractable carrying handle; the lever movement driving the petit son...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. White Carrara Marble Garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu mounted on white Carrara marble clock Garniture set. The three piece set includes a pair of two arm candelabras ormolu mounted with beads and C scrolled arms. The clock is ornamented with ormolu laurel garlands and an urn of prosperity above. The whole is raised on four marble columns...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, 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
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble, Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
By Jean A. Rennes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble, ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Jean, A Rennes. The clock is raised by four fine topie s...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara 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
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
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
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in the Louis XV Rococo Style
Located in London, GB
An Elegant Mantle Clock
In the Louis XV Manner
The clock and its plinth executed in gilt bronze in a dynamic rococo style, rising from scrolling foliage, the dial in the shape of a ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt bronze garniture set
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very fine gilt bronze Rococo style garniture set depicting frolicking cherubs and a satyr. The clock is 31 inches high and 24 inches wide. The candelabra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$75,000 / set
Classical 19th Century French Crystal + ormolu mantle clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A classical crystal 19th Century French Empire style portico mantle clock, with a gilded ormolu Eagle, white enamel clock face and four column supports engraved decoration and a plin...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
French Directoire Marble Pillar Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
A Directoire Ormolu with black marble French pillar clock, three and a half inch enamel dial with Roman numerals signed ‘Viven Fils a Epernay’ with...
Category
1790s French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
19th Century French Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Raingo Fres, Paris. Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and white marble mantel clock, having a central urn, flanked by Pan like figures each with hoof feet. Swags and drapes of foliag...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical Louis XVI Period French Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical Louis XVI period French mantel clock
French, late 18th century
Dimensions: Height 56cm, width 33cm, depth 9.5cm
Crafted from ormolu and a later malachite veneer, th...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu
$13,217 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Eight Day Striking Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French eight day silk-suspension, striking clock, contained in ormolu case mounted with vases and urns of flowers with well-cast b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire 19th Century Ormolu and Painted Bronze Mantel Clock with Young Sailor
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Empire ormolu and painted bronze mantel clock attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie. Fitted in an ormolu case shaped as a cotton bale, the round enamel dial features Roman numeral hours and Arabic fifteen-minute graduations, indicated by two pierced gilt bronze hands. Shirtless and barefoot, a young black sailor...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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
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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