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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock, 19th Century
French Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock, 19th Century

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

French Ormolu Mantel Clock
French Ormolu Mantel Clock

French Ormolu Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

Arch top French mantel clock in a finely decorated Ormolu case with classical scene to the front, standing on a mahogany base with brass banding and resting on brass feet. Enamel ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set

Located in London, GB

This beautiful clock set, which comprises of a mantel clock and a pair of vases, was designed in France in circa 1870 in a wonderful Renaissance Revival style. The set has been craft...

Category

Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Louis XVI style,  Mantel Clock 17"(43cm)
19th Century Louis XVI style,  Mantel Clock 17"(43cm)

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

French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set

French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set

Located in London, GB

French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze clock set French, late 19th century Clock height 52cm, width 39cm, depth 15cm Vases height 38cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm This be...

Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze

Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock
Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock

Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock

By Jacob Petit

Located in London, GB

Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock French, c.1825 Height 36cm, width 18.5m, depth 10.5cm Set within a beautiful porcelain case, parcel gilt, and flor...

Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

Ormolu French Empire clock, drumhead case with applied frieze decoration to the base, standing on turned and engraved feet. Superb engine turned dial centre, the gilded dial with Roman numerals, original hands and floral cast bezel surround. Convex glass to the rear supporting the eight day movement with outside countwheel striking and silk suspension. The whole surmounted by a gilded winged...

Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

This neoclassical style French mantel clock is crafted from patinated and gilt bronze in addition to flecked black and grey marble. The clock body is formed from a lopsidedly mounted...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

French Mantel Clock of Empire Period of "Borne" Form
French Mantel Clock of Empire Period of "Borne" Form

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

Antique Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Antique Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

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...

Category

Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock
French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

French ormolu and white marble pillar clock with ormolu mounts surmounted by an ornate finial with and standing on four gilded bun feet. The four pillars have fine ormolu mounts and are decorated with ornate chain swags. Enamel dial with Arabic numerals and finely cut original gilded hands. Eight day French striking movement with outside countwheel and starburst pendulum, circa 1870 An exceptionally fine French pillar clock...

Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Malachite Louis XVI Clock
Gilt Bronze and Malachite Louis XVI Clock

Gilt Bronze and Malachite Louis XVI Clock

Located in London, GB

Gilt bronze and malachite Louis XVI clock French, late 18th century Measures: Height 69cm, width 36cm, depth 13.5cm This fine Louis XVI mantel clock is wrought from malachite and gilt bronze. The malachite veneer is a later, beneficial refinishing. The clock features a plinth-form malachite base supporting four malachite columns, each with a gilt bronze capital. The columns raise an ornately shaped top, which is inset with a circular white enamel dial and is surmounted by urn-form finials. Beneath the dial is suspended an ornately cast and finished gilt bronze drapery...

Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

English Regency Neo-Classical Mantel Clock of Psyche and Cupid
English Regency Neo-Classical Mantel Clock of Psyche and Cupid

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

French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style

French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style

By Creil et Montereau

Located in London, GB

French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style French, late 19th century Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...

Category

Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Classical Ormolu Mantel Clock
19th Century French Classical Ormolu Mantel Clock

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...

Category

19th Century French Romantic Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock by Wilson & Gander, London
French Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock by Wilson & Gander, London

French Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock by Wilson & Gander, London

By Wilson & Gandar

Located in Norwich, GB

French gilded ormolu mantel clock with blue hand painted floral porcelain panels (the panels all separately signed ‘Creilliet Montereai, Medaillon D’or, ...

Category

1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Revolving Mantel Clock
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Revolving Mantel Clock

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Revolving Mantel Clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A wonderful late 19th century French Annular Louis XVI style gilded ormolu revolving mantel clock, depicting putti representing the arts and music, either side of a rotating tole urn...

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Sèvres Style Clock Set
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Sèvres Style Clock Set

Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Sèvres Style Clock Set

Located in Long Island City, NY

Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Three Piece Cobalt Blue Sèvres Style Clock Set Comprising: a round clock with a final with two birds; a pair of five-light candleabra with sc...

Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Louis Xvith Period Lyre Clock
French Louis Xvith Period Lyre Clock

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 Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock

French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock

Located in London, GB

French Empire gilt bronze clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm This fine gilt bronze man...

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Louis XV Style Imari Mantle Clock Garniture
Louis XV Style Imari Mantle Clock Garniture

Louis XV Style Imari Mantle Clock Garniture

Located in Montreal, QC

Louis XV style gilt bronze and porcelain Imari mantel clock and garniture.

Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Very Fine and Rare Onyx, Porcelain, Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Very Fine and Rare Onyx, Porcelain, Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Mantel Clock

Very Fine and Rare Onyx, Porcelain, Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

Very fine and rare green onyx, porcelain, cloisonné enamel and ormolu mantel clock French, Late 19th Century Height 64cm, diameter 23cm This beautiful piece is an exceptionally unusual and equally beautiful mantel clock, crafted from a variety of materials, used to showcase an array of superb decorative arts and techniques. Made in France in the late nineteenth century it is formed of green onyx, porcelain (the vase on top), cloisonné enamel and ormolu. The dials are set upon three columns of ormolu, mounted on green onyx, and framed with enamel in red, white, and blue, floral motifs. The dials are adorned with lettering in both French and Spanish, and measure time, temperature, and pressure. An elegant decorative vase mounts the clock, crafted from porcelain, and similarly decorated with enamel elements. Rare in design and even rare in terms of pure quality, it forms a unique antique timepiece...

Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu

Greek Revolution or Hellenistic Clock of Marmaluke
Greek Revolution or Hellenistic Clock of Marmaluke

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...

Category

1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French, Louis XVI Style Clock Set
19th Century French, Louis XVI Style Clock Set

19th Century French, Louis XVI Style Clock Set

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu clock garniture, the clock having a classical urn finial with garlands, ribbons and foliate decoration. The white ename...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid

French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid

Located in London, GB

French Empire Ormolu and marble vert mantel clock of Cupid whispering. Wonderful original fire gilded mercury ormolu. The quality of the casting and chasing is superb, from the indiv...

Category

1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

KPM Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Rococo Style Clock Set
KPM Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Rococo Style Clock Set

KPM Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Rococo Style Clock Set

By KPM Porcelain

Located in London, GB

KPM porcelain and gilt bronze Rococo style clock set German, late 19th century Measures; Clock on base: Height 51cm, width 36cm, depth 17cm Candelabra: Height 47cm, width 27cm, de...

Category

Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Clock Garniture By Prosper Roussel Of Paris
19th Century French Clock Garniture By Prosper Roussel Of Paris

19th Century French Clock Garniture By Prosper Roussel Of Paris

Located in Dublin, IE

A stunning ormolu and onyx mantle clock with garniture. Surmounted by a seated cupid on a octagonal shaped base with a wreath border, twin barrel movement striking on a bell ,an enamel dial with the hours and minutes in Roman numerals respectively, the dial signed Prosper Roussel...

Category

19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Ormolu

French Directoire Egyptian Style Mantel Clock Signed Leclerc
French Directoire Egyptian Style Mantel Clock Signed Leclerc

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

French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Patinated Bronze And Ormolu Clock
French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Patinated Bronze And Ormolu Clock

French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Patinated Bronze And Ormolu Clock

By Jacob Petit

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu clock. The clock in the shape of the Urn of Prosperity is raised by a square base with concave corners a...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set
19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set

19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set

Located in London, GB

19th Century French pink marble and ormolu clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 44.5cm, width 22cm, depth 20cm This unusual three-piece clock garniture combines stunning pink marble with ormolu classicised decoration. Featuring ornate pierced gilt brass hands, the porcelain dial of the mantel clock is framed with a floral motif that complements the tones of the marble. The clock is covered with elegant gilt-bronze classical decoration: surmounting the dial is an ormolu torch and laurel...

Category

Late 19th Century French Classical Greek Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

Biedermeier Period Wood and Gilt Clock
Biedermeier Period Wood and Gilt Clock

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

Neoclassical 18th Century Ormolu and Marble Lyre Clock
Neoclassical 18th Century Ormolu and Marble Lyre Clock

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

French 19th century Porcelain and Ormolu garniture set, stamped S.F.R.A.
French 19th century Porcelain and Ormolu garniture set, stamped S.F.R.A.

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 ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI style ormolu clock set, C19th
Louis XVI style ormolu clock set, C19th

Louis XVI style ormolu clock set, C19th

Located in Brighton, Sussex

This exquisite 19th-century French clock set features a stunning combination of gilded ormolu and verde marble. The centerpiece clock is elegantly adorned with intricate gilded detai...

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Sevres Style Gilded Ormolu Mantel Clock
19th Century Sevres Style Gilded Ormolu Mantel Clock

19th Century Sevres Style Gilded Ormolu Mantel Clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A wonderful French 19th century gilded ormolu mantel clock, having a putti mounted to the top holding garlands of flowers, draping down the case, Rams heads and urns of flowers. The ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French early 19th century white Carrara, Griotte marble and Ormolu clock
French early 19th century white Carrara, Griotte marble and Ormolu clock

French early 19th century white Carrara, Griotte marble and Ormolu clock

By Étienne Maurice Falconet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A beautiful and most attractive French early 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara, Rouge Griotte marble and Ormolu clock, attributed to Étienne Maurice Falconet. This wonderf...

Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Griotte Marble, Ormolu

French Architecturally Formed Ormolu Mantel Clock
French Architecturally Formed Ormolu Mantel Clock

French Architecturally Formed Ormolu Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

French architecturally formed ormolu mantel clock French, 19th Century Height 52cm, width 28cm, depth 17cm This beautiful Baroque style mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The highly detailed case takes the form of a piece of miniaturised architecture: a campanile of sorts, the top level contains the clock dial while the lower level, approached by shallow steps, is flanked by figurative sculptures and culminates in a bas relief frieze...

Category

19th Century French Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra
Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra

Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra

Located in London, GB

This clock set is designed in a wonderful ‘chinoiserie’ style. This style was inspired by the art of China, and it was very fashionable in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. The ...

Category

Early 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene
French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene

French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene

Located in London, GB

A very unusual French Empire Genre Arcadian mantel clock of a hunting scene. The primary subject is that of a finely dressed woman in riding habit, hat, whip and gloves riding side saddle on a fine patinated bronze hunter...

Category

Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

An ormolu mantel clock with Queen Victoria in medieval dress, by Monroux, 1843
An ormolu mantel clock with Queen Victoria in medieval dress, by Monroux, 1843

An ormolu mantel clock with Queen Victoria in medieval dress, by Monroux, 1843

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...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Directoire Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock
French Directoire Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock

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 ...

Category

1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French Charles X  Clock with Bust of Apollo
French Charles X  Clock with Bust of Apollo

French Charles X Clock with Bust of Apollo

Located in London, GB

French Charles X patinated bronze, ormolu and black marble clock with bust of Apollo. Very well proportioned clock with a fine bronze taken from the classical marble of Apollo. The bronze was created by the feted Paris bronziers of Choiselat and Gallien who also made some of the fine bronze clocks of "Jason and the Golden fleece...

Category

1830s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Clock
French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Clock

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A handsome and high quality mid-19th century French Louis XIV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by four tapered fluted legs decorated with acanthus leaves. The scalloped shaped c...

Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez

French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez

Located in London, GB

French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez French, circa 1815 Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

'Three Graces, ' Three-Piece Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
'Three Graces, ' Three-Piece Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set

'Three Graces, ' Three-Piece Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set

Located in London, GB

This garniture comprises three pieces: a mantel clock and two flanking candelabra, the entire ensemble designed and ornamented in an ornate neoclassical style. The garniture is composed of gilt bronze and lapis lazuli, with the lapis elements being a later addition. The mantel clock, which is supported by a lapis trefoil form base set on its sides with gilt bronze pierced foliate mounts, the gilt bronze contrasting beautifully with the lapis lazuli, contains a figural group of the three graces, sculpted from bronze and exquisitely gilded. The trio holds above their heads the spherical clock...

Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th century Ormolu, Marble and Porcelain clock, by F. Pelissier
French 19th century Ormolu, Marble and Porcelain clock, by F. Pelissier

French 19th century Ormolu, Marble and Porcelain clock, by F. Pelissier

By F. Pelissier

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A most elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu, white Carrara marble and Saxe Porcelain clock signed by 'F. Pelissier, France. The clock is raised on an ova...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century First Empire Ormolu Clock
French 19th Century First Empire Ormolu Clock

French 19th Century First Empire Ormolu Clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A remarkable French early 19th century First Empire ormolu clock, with the original silk threaded movement, dated 1809. Raised on a square moulded ormolu platform above bun supports. The pedestal base has a scalloped chasing below and a reeded one at the top with a scalloped foliate mount at the base of the clock. Standing in a reeded and scalloped cornucopia on one side is a charming winged putti with a quiver on the shoulder sharpening an arrow. On the other side is a lovely winged maiden in classic attire, turning the sharpening wheel...

Category

19th Century French 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.