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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
French Directoire Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period mantel clock. Constructed of black marble with white statuary marble mouldings with fire gilt/mercury ormolu touches such as ...
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1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, 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...
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1720s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Restauration Period Clock in Gilt Bronze, Romantic School
Located in BARSAC, FR
Superb clock in finely chiseled gilt bronze from the restoration period (circa 1830) presenting a scene characteristic of the romantic movement of the ti...
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1820s French Romantic Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu Calendar Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French, 19th century gilded ormolu mantel clock with a calendar dial. Having pink Sevres porcelain panels. Foliate and ribbon decoration, the clock being an eight...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th century Porcelain and Ormolu garniture set, stamped S.F.R.A.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most decorative Chinese Export Porcelain and French 19th century Ormolu mounted garniture set, stamped S.F.R.A. This stunning three piece garniture set consist of ...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This fine neoclassical style mantel clock is from the early 19th century. The clock is cast in gilt bronze, and features the surmounting figure of Asteria seated with the figure of a...
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Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
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1750s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
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1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Empire Ormolu Striking Library Clock
Located in London, GB
A fascinating Antique French Empire Striking Ormolu mantel clock A fascinating clock in the form of a library bookcase, with two children sitting at each side. Raised on a plinth ...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Steel, Ormolu

19th Century French Ormolu Mantel Hen House Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French ormolu mantel clock, having 8-day movement with enamel dial, mounted in “hen house” with urn and flower mounts to side, the oval...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Cartel Clock Signed F.Lesage Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Louis XIV st. tortoiseshell, brass and ormolu Cartel Clock signed F.Lesage Paris. The beautiful clock is raised on its orig...
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19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

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...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Lyre Shaped Clock with Marble, Ormolu, and Cut Glass
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.
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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...
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1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Marble Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Large Antique French Empire style figural patinated bronze, gilt bronze and green marble clock depicting two neoclassical figures.
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Early 20th Century French Empire Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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...
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Early 19th Century French Empire 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...
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1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, 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...
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Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Neoclassical Style Lyre-Form Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lyre-form gilt bronze clock French, 19th century Measures: Height 50cm, width 19cm, depth 13cm This wonderful mantel clock, crafted entirely from gilt bronze, is a magnificent example of the Louis XVI style. The clock is designed about the motif of the lyre—a popular form for Louis XVI style clocks. The clock features a stepped plinth-form base, raised on four bun feet. The base supports the clock case itself, which is wrought to resemble a lyre: the dial is set into the body of the lyre, while the twin lyre arms spring from the shoulders of the case. The arms are joined above by a garland held by scrolled swan’s head finials, between which is situated an Apollo sunburst mask. The gilt bronze surrounding the dial is richly moulded with scrolled forms and grasping acanthus leaves. The dial itself, with a pierced centre, features Arabic numeral hour marks on individual circular enamel cartouches. The movement is signed ‘Le Roy a...
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19th Century French Louis XVI 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...
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1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Greek Revolution or Hellenistic Clock of Marmaluke
Located in London, GB
Greek Revolution or Hellenistic clock of Marmaluke. Constructed of patinated bronze and ormolu, the fire gilt/mercury gilding in excellent original condition. The Marmaluke is laying on an animal skin blanket, wearing a turban with a blue jewel to the top and has a dagger in his hand. The naturalistic base is in patinated bronze with ormolu paw feet with an ormolu acanthus swag between . There is also an applied ormolu mount of a wreath. The dial is of white enamel with blued steel hands. The movement has been changed at some point in its past to an English movement signed Townsend London. The movement is an adapted English Sedan clock...
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1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris
Located in Montreal, QC
This mantle clock is by a well-respected Paris maker in a fashionable style. The oval base supports a vase shaped clock case in turn supported by winged dolphin heads and flanked by ...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, 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...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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. ...
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Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Charles X French Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Clock Celebrating Hero and Leander
Located in London, GB
French Charles X period patinated bronze and original mercury gilded ormolu "Borne" clock. Fine clock with superb ormolu in the shape of a borne (or milestone). The subject that of Hero and Leander. He sits by an altar as Hero anoints his hair. The clock takes its inspiration directly from the superb paiting "Hero et Leandre" by Pierre-Claude-Francois Delorme ( 1783-1859) presented to the Salon in Paris in 1814. Superb modelling, finishing and gilding. The patinated bronze case is surrounded at the front by a very fine ormolu moulding decorated with Acanthis leaf and Amthemion outside of a beaded border. The feet are decorated with a flaming torch passing through two wreaths. The fine dial decorated again with an outer border of stiff leaf and dart pattern, then Acanthus and Amthemion to the middle circle while to the inside the decoration is laurel leaf and forget-me-not flowers. The dial is signed " Charles Oudin...
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1820s French 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...
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Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu and Marble Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most decorative French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble three piece garniture set signed Japy Frères. The impressive clock, which Japy Frères won a gold metal for this clock in 1855, at the center is raised by a rectangular Rouge Griotte marble base with fine bun feet and a striking wrap around Coeur de Rai and pierced palmettes bands at the mottled border. The white enameled clock face displays pierced hands and Roman hour numerals set within the mottled ormolu bezel with intricately detailed beaded and foliate designs with two charming and most unique butterflies. A beautiful maiden is seated above draped in a wonderfully executed flowing garment while breastfeeding a charming winged cherub with an anchor, a quiver, and an ewer at their side. The pair of urns are displayed at each side and are each raised by elegant square bases with a bottom ormolu band and an exceptional wrap around mottled band. Above the square Rouge Griotte pedestal...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

An ormolu mantel clock with Queen Victoria in medieval dress, by Monroux, 1832
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This fine and unusual mantel clock is a rare model produced in France for the British market. The case incorporates a finely cast and chased figure of a lady in medieval dress, almos...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

French Massive Mantel Clock of Psyche and Cupid Signed Deniere
Located in London, GB
French massive mantel clock of Psyche and Cupid signed Deniere. Superb example after the original late 18th century model by Claud Michalon. This version was made by the famous early...
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1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

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...
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1860s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, 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...
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1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Fine 19th Century Belgium Slate Perpetual Calendar Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A Belgium slate perpetual moon phase clock with visible brocot escapement to the enamelled dial. The enamel dial to the calendar beautifully painte...
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19th Century Belgian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Slate, Enamel, Ormolu

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 ...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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 ...
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18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French Monumental Version of Psyche and Cupid in Rouge Marble, Patinated Bronze
Located in London, GB
Magnificent monumental version of the iconic clock depicting Psyche and Cupid. This verson dating from circa 1820-1830 is by JB Marchand a re-knowned bro...
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1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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...
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Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, 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...
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18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Antique Museum Quality French Marble And Ormolu Clock circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lovely clock is in good running order. It was retailed by Bigelow Kennard in Boston, MA.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Classical Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very pleasing early 19th century French gilded ormolu mantel clock, have a classical maiden standing in front of a mirror, with a pedestal supporting a vase of flowers. The white e...
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19th Century French Romantic 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.
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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 ...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

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...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

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...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Porphyry, Bronze, Ormolu

Important Early 19th Century Bronze Figural Mantle Clock of Recumbent Cleopatra
By André-Antoine Ravrio
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...
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Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte 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...
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Early 1800s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period patinated bronze, ormolu, and Rouge Griotte marble clock attributed to Henry Dasson. The c...
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19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Napoleon III Lyre Clock with Ormolu Hands
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A superb Napoleon III Lyre clock by 'Raingo Press, Paris' with an exquistely painted enamel face and finely cast ormolu hands in the shape of lyre. The move...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Miniature Single Fusee Bracket Clock By William Johnston, Strand, London
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...
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1830s English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

French Directoire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed 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...
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Early 1800s French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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 ...
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1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, 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...
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1780s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A French early 19th century Louis XVI st Ormolu white Carrara Gris St Anne clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and most unique French early 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu, white Carrara, and Gris St. Anne marble clock. This adorable clock in the shape of a well is raised on a ci...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Empire influenced green marble clock set. Having the arched clock with a white enamel clock face, an eight day striking m...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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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