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Material: Ormolu
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
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 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
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Marble, Ormolu and Bronze Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III period black Belgian marble, ormolu and patinated bronze garniture set. The three pi...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Lemerle-Charpentier & Compagnie Red Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This fine and ornate antique clock set by Lemerle-Charpentier & Compagnie comprises a clock and two flanking candelabra. The asymmetrical clock is set on a red marble base with ormolu feet and features a central relief panel in patinated bronze. The circular red marble clock...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century Cut-Glass French Urn Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A beautiful French cut-glass and gilded ormolu Louis XVI style urn mantel clock. Measures: 41cm (16") high. Having 'hobnail cut glass pattern, two scrolling handles with winged lion ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Neoclassical Louis XVI Period French Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical Louis XVI period French mantel clock
French, late 18th century
Dimensions: Height 56cm, width 33cm, depth 9.5cm
Crafted from ormolu and a later malachite veneer, th...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu
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
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 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
French Antique Ormolu Mounted Porcelain Japonisme Style Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine antique 19th century French gilt bronze and hand painted porcelain 3-piece clock set in the Japonisme style. The clock finely decorated with porcelain plaques, painted in the Japanese style with Cherry blossom branches. The front plaque features a Sulphur-crested cockatoo with a red sun in the sky on the right. The clock’s rectangular body is crowned by an arched top which contains a circular porcelain dial. This dial features a painting of a pair of birds on a cherry branch at its center, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white cartouches. The shoulders of the clock are mounted with gilt bronze elephant...
Category
Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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 19th Century Rococo Cartel Wall Clock, in the Louis XVI Style
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and patinated bronze sun burst cartel wall clock. Depicting cherubs among clouds and sun rays. The white enamel clock fac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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
$25,237 / set
A French 19th century Louis XVI st. clock signed Le Merle Charpentier Bronzier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte marble and ormolu mounted clock signed Le Merle Charpentier Bronzier, Paris Rue Charlot. The clock is raised b...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Clock, Stamped Vincent, 1855
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most unique French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, patinated bronze and marble clock, stamped Vincent 1855. The clock is raised by fine ormolu supports below the ci...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Classical Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century classical French Louis XVI style mantel clock, having gilded ormolu figures of a naked maiden looking in a mirror with two cherubs to her side, above a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
$1,850 Sale Price
61% Off
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 Neo-Classical Period Marble, Ormolu, & Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and finely detailed French 19th century Neo-Classical period Alabaster, Ormolu, Sainte-Anne Grand Dessin marble, and patinated Bronze annu...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. White Carrara Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by ormolu topie shaped supports below a marble base with ormolu scrolling foliage and ormolu beaded row. Above is the central fluted marble column...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble, Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
By Jean A. Rennes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble, ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Jean, A Rennes. The clock is raised by four fine topie s...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Burr Walnut and Ormolu Desk Set Signed Appay a Paris
Located in London, GB
Burr walnut and ormolu desk set signed Appay a Paris. A very smart Parisian turn of the 19th century desk set comprising a pair of inkwells with a pin drawer and an 8 day clock above...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu Bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Louis XV. st. ormolu, patinated bronze and Rouge Griotte marble clock. The clock is raised b...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, 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 Mid 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Clock, by Bardon, Montpellier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu clock, by Bardon, Montpellier. The clock has two love birds on the left looking over to a patinated bronze cupid, standing pro...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, white Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock. This beautiful clock is supported on a circular white Carrara marble...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Three-Piece Onyx and Ormolu Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French 19th century Louis XVI st. 3-piece onyx and ormolu garniture set. The three urns, each with a green onyx body are raised on concave c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu
Minature Onyx + Ormolu Table/Mantel Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An unusual late 19th Century French minature gilded ormolu and carved Onyx mantle clock, in the style of a Louis XVI longcase clock. Having an enamel clock face and classical mounts....
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu
French, Louis XVI Style Enamel Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Louis XVI style Champleve enamel clock set. The clock having a classical scene of a cherub handing flowers to ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock with Doves and Putti Playing Pipes
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French gilded ormolu, bronze and rouge marble mantel clock, in the Louis XVI style. Having Doves above the clock face, an enamel dial with an eight day movement, chiming on the hour and half hour. Bronze putti on either side play the pipes and mounted on a rouge marble base.
Maker name; Hamilton and inches...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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
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
Outstanding Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock by Dagrin and Philippe
Located in Long Island City, NY
An outstanding late 19th century gilt bronze mantel (fireplace) clock by Dagrin and Philippe
By Dagrin and Philippe
A large gilt bronze, beautifully dressed sculpture...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Charles X Gilt and Silver Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
An impressive Charles X gilt and silver clock in the gothic taste, France. Circa 1825
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Fine Quality French Empire Baccarat Style Crystal Vase Clock, circa 1860
By Baccarat
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality French Empire style Baccarat hobnail cut lead crystal glass two handled vase clock with ormolu-mounts, having a white enamel clock face with roman numerals and raised ...
Category
19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Rococo Style Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
Rococo Style Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu Carriage Clock
French, late 19th Century
Dimensions: Height 18cm, width 10cm, depth 8.5cm
The carriage clock is of rectangular form an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Annular Signed Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most spectacular and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble, ormolu and patinated bronze annular clock, signed MARTI, circa 1840. Raised by a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. White Carrara Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French early 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu mounted clock. Raised on ormolu supports the rectangular marble base with beaded trim and Clodion...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique three-piece Meiji period Japonisme vase clock set
French/Japanese, late 19th century
Measures: Clock height 47cm, diameter 22cm
Candelabra height 55cm, width 25cm, depth 2...
Category
Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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
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
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
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble, Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and large scaled French 19th century Louis XVI st. Brèche Violette marble, ormolu and patinated bronze clock signed Balthazard. The clock is raised by a square Brèche Vio...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Restauration Period Opaline Glass Clock Set by De Boussiard
Located in London, GB
From the Restauration period; comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking vases, the central vase shaped clock with circular dial signed 'AUG. de Boussiard' and twin ormolu swa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...
Category
19th Century French Classical Roman Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Biscuit De Sèvres Garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. Biscuit de Sèvres garniture clock set. The set has a pair of urns of prosperity with two cherubs on eac...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 18th Century Louis XV Period/Louis XVI Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu nine light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by an outstanding bottom acorn inverted finial amidst richly chased acanthus leaf patterns. Each S scrolled arm is decorated with fine acanthus leaves ending in striking floral candle cups and reeded twisted bobeches. The reeded straight central fut leads up to a large, attractive acanthus leaf canopy. With all original gilt throughout. Julien Le Roy (1686-1759) a renowned 18th Century Parisian...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Cobalt Blue Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. cobalt blue porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by a square ormolu base with cut corners with fine rosettes ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Mid-19th Century, Louis XVI St. Ormolu and White Carrara Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most exquisite French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by topie shaped ormolu supports, The rectangular marble base is deco...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French Early 19th Century Marble and Ormolu Quarter Strike Clock with Sundial
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very high quality and unique French early 19th century white Carrara marble and ormolu quarter strike clock with sundial, signed Robert et Courvoisier. The clock is raised on an ebonized fruitwood support with ball feet. The rectangular white Carrara marble base above is decorated with finely chased ormolu mounts of cherubs and mythological scenes, topped with wonderfully chased lions perched at each corner. The white Carrara marble sundial is raised on an ebonized fruitwood panel, framed with a chased ormolu border. Above is the large enamel clock within a twisted rope ormolu designed border. The impressive top crown has a white Carrara marble base and semiprecious stone globe clutched by an open winged ormolu eagle. With a very intricate movement, including a crown wheel escapement and machinery striking on the back panel. A remarkable double chime at every quarter with three chimes at the 3rd quarter. Louis Courvoisier (1758é1832) A Swiss clock...
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
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Rouge Griotte, Ormolu and Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte, ormolu and patinated bronze signed clock. The clock is raised by fine topie shaped feet below the circular base with a fin...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Signed by Deniere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Denière. The clock is raised by a fine oval shaped ormolu base with a richly chased wrap around berried laurel band and mottled border. The adorable and wonderfully detailed patinated bronze winged cherub is seated with his bow and arrows in a quiver at his side draped in a lovely flowing fabric. He is attentively holding a scroll in his left hand, seemingly reading and taking notes with a pen in his right hand while leaning on the clock with a curious raven at his side. The clock is set in a patinated bronze box...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Porcelain Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI St. ormolu and porcelain clock. The small scale clock is raised by fine tapered fluted legs below striking richly chased block rosettes cente...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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 Figural Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent gilt bronze clock signed Barbadienne founder, rouge Royale marble base.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$24,500
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.