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Material: Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Cartel Clock, by L. Marchand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu cartel clock, by L. Marchand. The clock has a a fine berried and foliate bottom inverted finial and finely etched...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Unusual French Gilt Bronze Chinoiserie Clock of Lovers
Located in New York, NY
19th c. French Gilt Dore Bronze Chinoiserie Clock possibly made for the Chinese market. The intricately dressed figures are highly detailed wi...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
English Regency Thomas Weeks Neoclassical Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock
By Thomas Weeks
Located in London, GB
A superb quality and rare antique George III/English Regency neoclassical mantel clock by Thomas Weekes but signed as a conceit "Semaine a Paris". The beautifully elegant clock in wh...
Category
Early 1800s English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Large French Charles X Period Ormolu Clock Representing Ceres
Located in London, GB
Large French Charles X period ormolu clock representing Ceres. A monumental clock of very fine quality and with totally original fire gilded ormolu. T...
Category
1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
Gilt Bronze and Blue Lapis Lazuli Clock with Bust of Molière
Located in London, GB
A gilt bronze and blue lapis lazuli clock with bust of Molière
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 61cm, width 27cm, depth 13cm
This exquisite French mantel clock originates fr...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
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
Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style
Located in London, GB
Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style
French, Late 19th Century
Clock: Height 55cm, width 33cm, depth 16cm
Candelabra: Height 62.5cm, width 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, Silver Plate, Bronze, Ormolu
English Regency Fusee Mantel Clock in Ormolu and White Marble by Finer and Nowla
Located in London, GB
English Regency ormolu and white marble drum mantel clock. Typical drum shaped clock, set on four elaborate ormolu toupee feet. The white marble has an applied ormolu mount of flower...
Category
1820s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, 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...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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
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
Louis XVI style Mantle Clock, 19th Century 16.5"(42cm)
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very pleasing 19th century French gilded ormolu and white marble mantel clock, having a cherub holding a torch and a bow and arrow, leaning against the inset eight day chiming clock.
Category
1860s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
English Regency Antique Miniature Mantel Clock in Patinated Bronze and Ormolu
Located in London, GB
A small and unusual patinated bronze and ormolu English Regency mantel clock. Set on four feet the shaped base with ormolu mounts. A putti stands beside the clock housing with his arm raised. The clock is surmounted by a gilt bronze finial. The convex white enamel dial is in fine condition. The 30 hour fusee...
Category
1810s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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
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
French early 19th century white Carrara, Griotte marble and Ormolu clock
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
Very Fine Ormolu and Sèvres-style Porcelain Calendar Mantel Clock
By Charles Oudin
Located in London, GB
Very fine ormolu and Sèvres-style porcelain calendar mantel clock
French, 19th Century
Measures: Height 43cm, width 31cm, depth 16cm
In a similar style to pieces by the famed and leading clockmaking firm of the late nineteenth century, Charles Oudin...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large English Late 19th Century Ormolu Strut Clock in Manner of Cole
Located in London, GB
Large beautifully cut and engraved ormolu English Victorian strut clock in the manner of Cole. Silvered dial with engine turned centre with beaut...
Category
1860s English 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
French Greek Revolutiom Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X period Greek Revolution or Hellenistic mantel clock. The clock in original ormolu with a Turkish figure to the top. The silvered dial ha...
Category
1830s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu Clock of Borne Shape and of 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...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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 ...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble clock, signed Armingault à Paris. The clock is raised by an impressive rectang...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Raingo Freres Three-Piece Bronze Cherub Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This graceful, joyous antique clock set is a reminder of why the 19th century Parisian clockmaking firm Raingo Freres is so highly revered: the beautiful...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$23,915 / set
Fine Sevres and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1870.
A fine late 19th century ormolu and porcelain mounted mantel clock, the painted dial above a courting couple scene, the whole mounted with a Krater vase and ra...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Glass and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This French mantel clock is designed in an elegant Neoclassical style, after the decorative arts of the Louis XVI period (1754-1793). This clock will look beautiful placed on a mante...
Category
1880s French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
English Victorian Ormolu Horseshoe Clock in Original Box
Located in London, GB
An English ormolu horseshoe clock in the manner of Thomas Cole. Small 3/4 plate movement with dust covers to rear for wind, adjust and regulate. Fine original silvered bronze dial wi...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
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
Silvered Bronze Clock Set Depicting Hebe & Jupiter's Eagle by Charpentier & Co
Located in London, GB
In classical mythology, Hebe, the personification of youth, is also cupbearer to the gods. She is the daughter of Juno and Jupiter (represented here by his eagle). Seated between his wings, she is holding the oinochoe (wine pitcher) in one arm while with her free hand she gracefully offers him divine nectar known as ambrosia, a drink which reinforced the Olympians' immortality.
The three-piece clock garniture centred around the large silvered bronze figural group after the original by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, supported on a gilt-bronze mounted onyx clock base, denoting the hours in Roman numerals, the central clock flanked by a pair of silvered and gilt bronze female figures in neoclassical garb, their amphoras issuing five scrolling candleholders...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, 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
Ormolu, Bronze
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
$7,706 / set
French rouge marble and ormolu four glass clock signed Raingo Freres
Located in London, GB
A good antique French ormolu and rouge marble four glass clock by the eminent makers Raingo Freres. The clock with original ormolu is surmounted by an...
Category
1880s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
Large 19th Century French Mantel Clock by Gervais
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu, bronze and white marble mantel clock. Having scrolling foliate and ribbon decoration, two putti carrying the eight d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Garniture set
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very fine three piece garniture set, of gilt bronze and Rouge Griotte marble, the clock face signed Thiebaut Freres. The candelabra are 35 inches in heig...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$68,500 / set
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
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 o...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This endearing French mantel clock combines lustrous ormolu and sumptuous white marble, making for a light and yet majestic work that perfectly compliments the masterfully executed N...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Charles X Ormolu Mantel Clock by Mongin, Paris
By Mongin 1
Located in Norwich, GB
French Charles X Ormolu Mantel Clock
Rounded arched pillared case with fine ormolu floral mounts, chased decoration to the pillars standing on a r...
Category
1840s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Restauration Period Gilt Bronze Mounted Lapis Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock dates from the period of Charles X and is crafted from gilt bronze with a later lapis lazuli veneer. The clock body is columnar in form, having a rectangular profil...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Period Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly
By Gaston Jolly
Located in London, GB
Depicting a young woman seated at a table holding a book and looking at a celestial globe, above the central dial signed 'Gaston Jolly Paris' and flanked by two busts.
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Clock Set by Denière
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. The central mantel clock is formed of a rectangular gilt bronze mounted grey marble base. Raised on four gilt bronze ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Vert Patricia Marble and Ormolu Clock
By Jollet & Cie
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century neo-classical st. Vert Patricia marble and ormolu clock, signed Jollet & Cie. The clock is raised by a square stepped base with a finely chased pierced...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas
Located in London, GB
French Empire miniature ormolu clock of Cupid signed by Ledure and Thomas. A small French Empire clock only 10 inches (25 cms high) but of outstanding quality. A figure of Cupid stan...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Gilt Bronze Strut Clock in the Style of Cole
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th century gilt bronze strut clock in the style of Cole. Original gilding and very fine engraving make this a most attractive clock. The pierced ormolu frame gives a very light...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parcel-Gilt and Biscuit Porcelain Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautifully design late 19th century gilt bronze mounted parcel-gilt and biscuit porcelain mantel (fireplace) clock
The front carved with Apollo riding his chariot. The bottom wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Garniture Set, By Jacques Gudin
By Jacques-Gérôme Gudin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte marble, Ormolu, and patinated Bronze three piece garniture set, by Jacques Gudin, Paris, circa 1820. The elegant set inclu...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
English Regency Bronze Arcadian "Genre" Mantel Clock of Boy Feeding Chickens
Located in London, GB
Unusual Antique English Regency bronze "genre" mantel clock genre clock . In the " Arcadian" genre manner made popular in France by Marie Antoinette and then later by the Empress Josephine. I have had the French Empire model of this clock and this is an English version of that model. The subject is of a boy feeding chickens grain out of his hat. Set upon an oval base with toupe feet and an applied ormolu mount of chicken feeding. The clock dial and movement housed within a chicken coup decorated with applied mounts to each side of flowers in a pot...
Category
1820s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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 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
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
19th Century French Pink Porcelain Clock with Cupid & 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
Ormolu, Bronze
French Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Neoclassical style malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, late 19th Century
Measures: height 42cm, width 22cm, depth 11cm
This fine clock...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer by Henry Vian
By Henry Vian
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer By Henry Vian after Jean-Charles Delafosse
Henry Vian after Jean-Charles Delafosse
The tops with a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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
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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