Ormolu Clocks
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557
238
811
811
811
234
69
67
56
34
18
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2
1
1
66
724
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16
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5,756
4,077
1,678
1,595
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800
754
29
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Material: Ormolu
Belle Époque Period Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock in Moorish Style
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock, formed from gilt bronze and porcelain, is designed and decorated in a discernibly Moorish style. The clock is supported by a flat shaped gilt bronze base, the base supporting four gilt bronze columns that support the gilt bronze clock drum. The cylindrical drum contains a circular dial, the dial of porcelain and inscribed with Roman numerals.
The gilt bronze throughout is cast and chased with geometrical motifs—particularly evident on the front of the four vertical columns. These motifs are distinctively Moorish in scheme, the lattice-type geometrical sequences recalling Islamic decorative...
Category
Late 19th Century French Moorish Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Porcelain Mounted Gilt Metal Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set displays many of the characteristics of the 18th century Rococo style. These include gracefulness, asymmetry, and the use of curved forms. The set, which includes a mantel clock and pair of vases, is crafted from gilt metal and is mounted with decorative porcelain plaques.
The mantel clock features a gilt metal rectangular case with a break arch top. This is crowned by an urn, featuring a gilt metal stem and a pinky-red floral porcelain body, which is covered by a gilt metal lid and finial. The case is also topped by a gilt metal wreath...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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 ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Gilded Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality, impressive 19th century French gilded ormolu and grey marble clock garniture. Having a large pair of five branch candelabra either side, support by classical mai...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Lapis, enamel, and gilt bronze clock garniture
Located in London, GB
Inspired by the art and culture of Classical Greece, this three-piece garniture contains a mantel clock and two candelabra. The rectangular body of the clock is of lapis lazuli and is surmounted by a Grecian vase...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Large French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze cartel clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large French Louis XV style gilt bronze cartel clock.
After the model by Jacques Caffièri.
The cartouche-shaped case representing sunrise an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
French Napoleon III Ormolu and Porcelain Sided Mantel Clock in Four Glass Form
Located in London, GB
French Napoleon III ormolu and porcelain sided mantel clock in four glass form. The clock has fine jewelled porcelain panels on three sides including the full size dial. The porcelai...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Ormolu Cartel Clock, 19th Century by H&F Paris
By Cartel
Located in Cypress, CA
Magnificent quality 19th century French Louis XV style ormolu cartel clock with a mechanism signed by H&F Paris.
The intricate ormolu body of the cartel clock is beautifully deco...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece clock and candelabra set is formed of malachite and is fitted with gilt and patinated bronze mounts. The malachite base of th...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
French Louise XVI Style Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century white marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture.
The clock in the shape of a Lyre with a sunburst finial, jeweled around the eight day chiming clock ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire period gilt bronze clock with Cupid and Psyche by Le Roy et fils
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mantel clock was crafted in c.1810 by the famous Parisian clock-making firm, Le Roy et fils. The company was founded by Basile Charles Le...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality classical 19th century French gilded Ormolu mantel clock set, with a flame, arrows and ribbons above a white enamel clock face, an eight day duration chiming cloc...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Pink 'Sevres' Porcelain Mantel Clock
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
English Regency Mahogany Bracket Clock by Moore of Ipswich
Located in London, GB
A fine English Regency brass inlaid mahogany striking bracket clock. Of good color and restrained decoration. Dial signed Moore of Ipswich. Double fusee movement with anchor escapement.
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Japanese Imari Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains three pieces: namely, a mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The mantel clock is designed about a Japanese porcelain vase, known as Imari ware. This white ground vase, painted in reds and blues and ornamented with foliate forms, functions as the clock case, the dial centrally mounted and encompassed by Rococo style gilt bronze motifs. This vase is supported by a gilt bronze base, which is profusely ornamented with gilt bronze acanthus leaves, garlands, and, most distinctly, a pair of putti. The vase is mounted with lion head handles to each side, also of gilt bronze, while the lid of the vase is topped by a gilt bronze finial in the form of a putto.
The candelabra are similarly decorated and of similar construction, each one being built about a smaller Imari...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Fine Quality 19th Century French Gilded Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and Breccia marble mantel clock, having a two handled lidded urn finial, foliate swags hanging down to ribbon decoration above the wh...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Breccia Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Antique Clock, Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble
By L. Ravrio 1
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality of borne shape constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. The dial of the clock is signed "L Ravrio" below 1...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Orientalist Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This striking and highly detailed mantel clock is made entirely of ormolu, and is surmounted by the figure of an Eastern nobleman. He wears typical dress of his location and period: ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
18th Century French Directoire Ormolu and Enamel Clock by Deverberie
Located in Essex, MA
Period French marble and ormolu mantel clock with sunburst or sun king motif original works. Gilding in great condition. Neoclassical form with enamel embellishments in great conditi...
Category
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze, Rouge Marble and Jewelled Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This majestic three-piece clock set is truly a sight to behold, and features beautifully contrasting rouge marble, gilt bronze and glittering jewels. The set comprises a central cloc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Mantel Clock of Two Cupids Signed Coeur
Located in London, GB
exceptionally rare French Empire mantel clock of two cupids signed Coeur fils Rue St Honore No 140 a Paris. This small mantel clock of exceptional q...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th-20th Century Régence Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Longcase Clock
By Julien Le Roy, Charles Cressent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Régence style gilt bronze mounted tulipwood parquetry regulator longcase clock, after the 18th century model by Julien Le Roy (French, 1686-1759) and ...
Category
Early 1900s French Régence Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock
Located in London, GB
French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock
French, 19th Century
Height 30cm, width 18cm, depth 14.5cm
This fine mantel clock is of rectangular form, with a gilt bron...
Category
19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel
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
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This large mantel clock is an excellent piece of refined neoclassical design by the acclaimed Deniere et Fils firm. Deniere was one of the leading ...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Three-Piece Clock Garniture by Raingo Frères, Paris
Located in London, by appointment only
A magnificent three-piece ormolu clock garniture of the finest quality. Spotless mercury gilding covers every visible space. Two female figures support the clock, two male figures su...
Category
1820s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Louis XVI Style Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive, good quality 19th century French Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and bronze clock set. Having a mother and child mounted above the clock, which has an eight day...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Sevin and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This ormolu clock is an exemplary work by the famous French 19th century metalworker and foundry-owner, Ferdiand Barbedienne. Working with a design made by the acclaimed onamentalist, Louis-Constant...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This large clock set, which is comprised of a mantel clock and pair of flanking candelabra, is designed in the style of Sèvres Porcelain manufactory goods. In the manner of Sèvres Po...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Pink Porcelain Clock with Romantic Emblems
By Japy Frères
Located in London, GB
A Symbolic clock in the Louis XVI style
By Japy Fréres et Cie.
The finely chased ormolu case encompassing pink porcelain panels decorated with beads to the face and sides; the wh...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock, Leroy
Located in New York, NY
Louis XVI ormolu-mounted Mantel Clock
signed Julien Leroy A Paris
France, 18th century
A similar clock sold at Sothebys New York for $81,250 (Important ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Mantel Clock and Candelabra of Gilt Bronze and Blue ‘Sèvres’ Porcelain
Located in London, GB
A Good French mantel clock garniture
By Charles Oudin, Paris
The garniture comprising a clock and two candelabras, constructed in gilt bronze and ‘Se...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Empire Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1820-1830.
A large-scale early 19th century bronze and gilt bronze mantel clock, the clocks hunting theme, featuring three different scenes. The bronze Diana...
Category
1820s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock - Étienne Le Noir, Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French Louis XVI style figural gilt bronze mantel clock. The vase shaped case surmounted with a pomegranate-cast finial and flanked by large satyr mask handles fitted with intertwined gilt-bronze snakes, amongst floral wreaths, ribbons and acanthus. The rectangular acanthus decorated base flanked on each side with a figure of a cherub holding a globe and a Putti writing a poem, both above a plinth decorated with fruit and floral garlands surmounted with lion-mask-legs. The circular white enamel dial with wreaths of flowers with Roman and Arabic numerals, Signed: Étienne Le Noir...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This wonderfully ornate gilt bronze mantel clock is covered with fine sculptural decoration, including female busts, architectural motifs and stylized foliage. With its wealth of cla...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Oriental Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set was designed in France in the late 19th century in a fanciful ‘Oriental’ style. The set is comprised of a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra, all of which have been...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Antique Louis XVI Style Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set is a remarkable antique, which is not only a brilliant piece of technical design—serving as a fully-functioning timepiece—but is also an exceptional work of sculpture....
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, 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, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock is a wonderful piece of French Neoclassical design. It is an unusual and very beautiful item, which has been expertly crafted from gilt bronze (ormolu). The clock will add elegance and sophistication to a mantelpiece.
The clock features a table-form body which is topped by a classical urn. The urn is crowned by a pomegranate finial and mounted with twin handles in the shape of rams’ heads with rings in their mouths. The urn is decorated with twisted and cabled fluting, a belt draped with foliate swags, panelled motifs and a ropework band.
The urn stands on a table-shaped body which is surmounted by outward-pointing pinecone finials and laurel branches. The stepped tabletop has scalloped corners and is decorated with an egg-and-dart and leaf-and-dart band, as well as a central Green Man mask. This top is supported on six legs which feature leafy scrolled tops draped with swags and hoof feet. Between the legs, there is a drum clock...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This magnificent mantel clock—which measures an impressive 82cm in height—was crafted in France, in the period when Napoleon I was Emperor (1804-1814, 1815). The clock was crafted by...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Large French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Wall Clock with Religious Inscriptions
Located in London, GB
This large, gilt bronze wall clock is a magnificent and highly unusual piece. At the centre of the design is a circular enamel dial, with Arabic...
Category
19th Century French Renaissance Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Gilt Bronze Ottoman Chinoiserie Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
A 19th century gilt bronze clock with a seated lady in Ottoman dress resting on cushions with her arm raised possibly originally holding a bird or simila...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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, ...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This magnificent five-piece clock set is designed in the style of 18th century porcelain produced by the famous Sèvres Manufactory in France. The set is comprised of a mantel clock, a pair of flanking vases—which double-up as candelabra—and two candlesticks. The five items are crafted from ‘bleu Sèvres’ (navy) colored porcelain, which has been finely parcel gilt, jewelled and painted, and mounted in gilt bronze (ormolu).
The mantel clock is composed of a circular porcelain dial, with a central painting of cherubs in flight, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white medallions. This is set within a gilt bronze bezel, crowned by a porcelain lidded urn, fitted with gilt bronze satyr head handles, draped with flower swags, and topped by a gilt bronze grape cluster finial. The clock case is supported on four porcelain columns, which are surmounted by a gilt bronze pinecone-tipped staff, draped with tasselled fabrics. A gilt bronze sculpture of a dancing Maenad (also called a Bacchante)—a female follower of the classical god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus (or Bacchus). The woman plays the tambourine and is accompanied by a putto. The clock is placed on a shaped gilt bronze base, with two projecting scrolled wings, decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and porcelain patera. The base is mounted with porcelain paintings of classical trophies, and putti within a gilt bronze cartouche frame. It is set on two gilt bronze feet, which are decorated with pointed porcelain covers and gilt bronze rosettes.
Depending on personal preference, the vases that accompany the clock can be left as they are or made to serve as candelabra. When vases, they are topped by porcelain domed lids, with gilt bronze grape finials. To turn the items into candelabra, these lids are replaced by gilt bronze covers. Each cover is fitted with six gilt bronze branches—five of which are scrolling and decorated with acanthus leaves, and one extends upwards in a straight line. These terminate in wide drip-pans and urn-shaped capitals. The porcelain vase bodies feature fine paintings of couples courting in garden settings, and they are fitted with gilt bronze cherub head...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Louis XVI Style Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very pleasing French gilded ormolu and white marble clock garniture in the Louis XVI style. The clock having a cherub holding a chicken, the white enamel clock face with an eight d...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A charming French 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture, having four ormolu cherubs supporting the urn clock a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
19th Century French Sevres Porcelain Clock Set
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Art Nouveau Grandfather Clock
Located in New York, 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
French Empire Antique Black Marble and Ormolu Borne Clock by Maniere
By C. Maniere
Located in London, GB
Fine black marble and ormolu mantel clock of borne (antique milestone) form. Superb proportions and Fine ormolu mounts, well finished with matte and burnished fire gilding. The primary mount represents d'Etude, below this a pair of Lions pawing an Anthemion. To each side a Fine mount of crossed winged torches of ever lasting love purporting to represent Anacreon inspired by Love. Fine white enamel dial and gilt bronze hands, signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume working at the Rue Christine...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Chariot Clock Signed Ravrio
By Dubuisson
Located in London, GB
French Empire antique chariot clock in ormolu signed on the annular enamel dial Ravrio Bronzier. Cupid controls the chariot which is drawn by a pair of b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
Bronze, Ormolu
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This Sèvres style clock is an elegant piece of late 19th century design, which will make a wonderful addition to a mantelpiece. It has been beautifully cast in bronze and gilded (orm...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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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