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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
French Ormolu and Marble Clock Garniture
Located in New York, NY
Fine and important French ormolu and marble cherubs clock garniture Comprising a clock and a pair of five-light candelabra. Origin: Fr...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Louis XV Rococo Style Ormolu & Porcelain Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and most attractive 19th century French Louis XV Rococo Style ormolu and porcelain mantle clock, modelled as an urn with floral finial and goat head masks to the sides, o...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Bronze, Marble and Ormolu clock set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most spectacular and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, Rouge Royal marble and Ormolu garniture set. This most striking garniture set consists of a ce...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Cartel Clock of Venus with Cherubs
By Jacques Caffieri
Located in London, GB
Antique French cartel clock of Venus with cherubs French, Late 19th Century Height 120cm, width 55cm, depth 20cm This remarkable cartel clock is inspired by an 18th-century desi...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th century Marble and Ormolu clock, by Chaumont & Languereau
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. Marble and Ormolu clock, by Chaumont & Languereau. This large scale clock is raised by six Ormolu toupie shaped feet ...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th century Charles X Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu garniture set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Charles X Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu garniture set. This wonderful garniture set consists of a clock and pair of urns, raised ...
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19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Alabaster Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Alabaster Portico Mantel Clock, late 19th century, the circular enamel dial, with strike on bell movement, surmounted by an urn and supported by four flute...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Alabaster, Enamel, Ormolu

Monumental 19th Century French Three-Piece Ormolu Clock Garniture
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality monumental gilt bronze three-piece clock garniture. Comprising a fine quality large gilt bronze eight-arm figural rococo candelabra a...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large Rococo Ormolu Antique French Clock, Genius of Music
By Vincenti et Cie, Cie Des Bronzes De Bruxelles
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb and substantial ormolu clock from a design by the 18th century bronze founder Robert Osmond and made by the famous Compagnie des Bronze of Bruss...
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Ormolu Wall Clock Barometer
Located in London, GB
Antique French Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Ormolu Wall Clock Barometer French, Mid-18th Century Height 133cm, width 34cm, depth 16cm Dating from the mid-18th century, this remarkab...
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Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th Century Sèvres Style Ormolu and Painted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite 19th century French gilt bronze and hand painted jeweled Sevres Porcelain clock set. Fine gilt bronze and hand painted jeweled...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sévres Porcelain, patinated Bronze and Ormolu
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sévres Porcelain, patinated Bronze and Ormolu garniture set. This stunning set consisting of a central clock and two ...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock i...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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

19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock, c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French Empire style ormolu bronze mantle clock. The foliate surround gilt dial, Inside with eight day movement with strike on bell. The top mounted with a figure...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Large Marble and Ormolu Clock Garniture
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Elegant antique clock garniture set, crafted from striking pink-veined marble and adorned with ornate gilded bronze details. This exquisite...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Champleve Enamel and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality and attractive French champleve gilt bronze and light blue champleve enamel clock set. Retailed by Camerden & Forster, New York. Gilt bronze and champleve enamel. Or...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Antique French Sèvres-Style Ormolu Mounted Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Sèvres-style ormolu mounted porcelain mantel clock French, 19th Century Height 50cm, diameter 21cm This superb 19th century porcelain clock...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Period Portico Clock in Tulipwood, Fine Inlay, Ormolu Mounts-France, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Portico style French tulipwood clock with Boulle style fine inlays of mother-of-pearl and bronze. Eight day French movement with a grid-iron ormolu pendulum...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI style long case clock.
By Charles Frodsham
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very imposing fine quality 19th Century French longcase clock, having an ormolu casting of Father Time on the hood, the white enam...
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Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Baroque Style Austrian Ormolu Mounted Musical Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Baroque style Austrian ormolu mounted musical clock Austrian, early 19th Century Total height: 211cm Clock: Height 135cm, width 86cm, depth 52 Stand: Height 76cm, width 81c...
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Early 19th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock by Linke
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century ormolu and white marble mantel clock by Linke French, Late 19th Century Height 56cm, width 39cm, depth 25cm This impressive mantel clock commands attention with i...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

A Fine Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Three Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Three Piece Clock Garniture Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of seven-light figural candelabra. Designed as a celebration of music and lyric poe...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

A Napoleon III Period Sèvres Style Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large and Exceptional Napoleon III Period Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture. By Denière, Paris. Comprising a mantle clock and pair of eight-light...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Exceptional Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Grandfather Clock
Located in London, GB
Exceptional Louis XVI style gilt bronze and malachite grandfather clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height 250cm, width 54cm, depth 33cm This superb longcase clock is a wonderful example of the Belle Époque impetus to draw inspiration from the styles of the past. The clock, crafted during the late nineteenth century—though the malachite finish is later—is inspired by a famous eighteenth-century original. The clock is of traditional form, which a cubic clock case inset with an enamel dial and a gilt bronze bezel cast with signs of the zodiac. The central section of the clock includes a window, which reveals the pendulum inside, while the lower section is in the form of a plinth. The malachite veneer is wonderfully varied, with lighter and darker shades of the stone utilised to add visual interest. The clock is surmounted by a sculpture in gilt bronze of Apollo in his chariot, pulled by a quadriga of horses. The dial is signed for Rosel Bruxelles...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Fine Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Clock by Achille Brocot & Delettrez
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb, large and early Ormolu clock, mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with a Bleu Celeste ground and fine overglaze gilt decoration. The richly chased foliate case is...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A Louis XVI Style Mantel Fine Gilt-Bronze Clock by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Very Fine Gilt-Bronze Clock With A White Marble Base by François Linke. The case signed 'Linke'. This rare example of a clock by François Linke has a twin train eight-day mov...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Enamel, Ormolu

French Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu-Mounted Lyre Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A French Sevres style cobalt blue lyre clock with finely cast ormolu sunburst and floral swagged mounts with jewelled bezel, pretty floral swa...
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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

Porcelain, champlevé enamel, and gilt-bronze Rococo style three-piece clock set
Located in London, GB
Porcelain, champlevé enamel, and gilt-bronze Rococo style three-piece clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: height 38cm, width 23cm, depth 16cm Vases: height 28cm, width 13cm, d...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Egyptian Revival Mantle Clock Retailed By Tiffany & Company
Located in Essex, MA
A TIFFANY & CO. EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MANTLE CLOCK, AMERICAN, 1880s, a bronze ormolu and marble clock made by L. Marti et Cie for Tiffany & Company, marked on clock face, "Tiffany & Co." ...
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1880s French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Repeating Drocourt Carriage Clock with Alarm
Located in Amersham, GB
A strike repeat alarm carriage clock by Pierre Drocourt. Stamped and numbered with the Drocourt mark on the back plate in a gilded 'Gorge' case. Drocourt was one of the great carriag...
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1860s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Steel, Ormolu

Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Cloisonne Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exceptionally detailed clock set consists of a mantel clock and a pair of accompanying vases, which are all crafted in ormolu and extensively decorated in vibrant cloisonné enam...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

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...
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Late 19th Century French Classical Greek Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

French Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock Stamped in Bronze H. Picard
Located in London, GB
French Ormolu and porcelain mantel clock of Classical design dating from the mid-19th century stamped in the mint and original Ormolu H. Picard. Numbered in the bronze, 1297. The original ormolu is in quite pristine and totally original condition. The case inset with painted porcelain panels with fruit and floral decoration in the classical style. The clock surmounted by a Bacchanalian mask and two handled vase with grapes, standing on six vase shaped feet on a velvet plinth...
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1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This magnificent five-piece clock set is designed in the style of 18th century porcelain produced by the famous Sèvres Manufactory in France. The set is comprised of a mantel clock, a pair of flanking vases—which double-up as candelabra—and two candlesticks. The five items are crafted from ‘bleu Sèvres’ (navy) colored porcelain, which has been finely parcel gilt, jewelled and painted, and mounted in gilt bronze (ormolu). The mantel clock is composed of a circular porcelain dial, with a central painting of cherubs in flight, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white medallions. This is set within a gilt bronze bezel, crowned by a porcelain lidded urn, fitted with gilt bronze satyr head handles, draped with flower swags, and topped by a gilt bronze grape cluster finial. The clock case is supported on four porcelain columns, which are surmounted by a gilt bronze pinecone-tipped staff, draped with tasselled fabrics. A gilt bronze sculpture of a dancing Maenad (also called a Bacchante)—a female follower of the classical god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus (or Bacchus). The woman plays the tambourine and is accompanied by a putto. The clock is placed on a shaped gilt bronze base, with two projecting scrolled wings, decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and porcelain patera. The base is mounted with porcelain paintings of classical trophies, and putti within a gilt bronze cartouche frame. It is set on two gilt bronze feet, which are decorated with pointed porcelain covers and gilt bronze rosettes. Depending on personal preference, the vases that accompany the clock can be left as they are or made to serve as candelabra. When vases, they are topped by porcelain domed lids, with gilt bronze grape finials. To turn the items into candelabra, these lids are replaced by gilt bronze covers. Each cover is fitted with six gilt bronze branches—five of which are scrolling and decorated with acanthus leaves, and one extends upwards in a straight line. These terminate in wide drip-pans and urn-shaped capitals. The porcelain vase bodies feature fine paintings of couples courting in garden settings, and they are fitted with gilt bronze cherub head...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The combination of sumptuous, lustrous ormolu and finely decorated Sevres style porcelain makes this mantel clock an exceptional piece. Built in France and retailed by the prestigiou...
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Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This large clock set, which is comprised of a mantel clock and pair of flanking candelabra, is designed in the style of Sèvres Porcelain manufactory goods. In the manner of Sèvres Po...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Ormolu Mantel Clock with Champleve Decoration by Japy Freres
Located in Norwich, GB
French gilt ormolu mantle clock with beautiful champlevé decoration with turned pilasters, architectural pediment with four turned finials. Gilded chapter ring with Roman numerals...
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1870s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Gilt Bronze Mounted Marine Themed Automaton Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mounted marine themed automaton mantel clock French, circa 1850 Measures: With glass dome and base height 90 cm, width 70 cm, depth 33 cm Clock without dome and...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Blue Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Clock, Circa 1875-85
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XVI Blue Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Mounted Clock, circa 1875-85.
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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...
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Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Antique French Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This large mantel clock is an excellent piece of refined neoclassical design by the acclaimed Deniere et Fils firm. Deniere was one of the leading ...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Baroque Style Bronze and Ormolu Cherub Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Baroque style bronze and ormolu cherub mantel clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height 69cm, width 35cm, depth 26.5cm This dramatic a...
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Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Belle Époque Period Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Belle Époque period gilt bronze and enamel clock set French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 15cm Vases: Height 29cm, diameter 11.5cm Candlestic...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Antique French Clock Set in Champleve Enamel and Ormolu
Located in London, GB
This charming late 19th century French clock set takes inspiration from a range of styles and periods, and is beautiful in its final e...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Napoleon III Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock Set by Picard
Located in London, GB
This magnificent clock set is the work of celebrated French maker Henri Picard, who collaborated on this fine piece together with the famous firm of clockmakers, Raingo Freres. Both ...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Marble Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
The large and elegant antique French Empire style bronze and marble figural clock features a rectangular stepped base of dark green marble, raised on four gilt bronze feet cast with ...
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19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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

Materials

Ormolu

Sèvres Style Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Three-Piece Clock Set by H. Picard
Located in London, GB
Comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking candelabra, the clock with central circular dial signed 'PICARD / A GENEVE', surrounded by three ormolu cherubs and two porcelain pl...
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19th Century Swiss Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 23.5cm, depth 11cm This mantel clock was finely crafted in the Empire period, wrought from ormolu and a later malachite veneer. The design of the clock is based on classical architecture. It features a malachite entablature—with an ormolu pierced mount to the front—which is supported on four ormolu bun feet. The malachite column shafts are smooth and each culminate in a capital, supporting the malachite top. Between the columns, there is a drum clock...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Antique Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Figurative Mantel Clock by Dasson
Located in London, GB
Antique patinated bronze and ormolu figurative mantel clock by Dasson French, 1888 Measures: Height 30cm, width 30cm, depth 13cm This fine mantel clock is by the celebrated make...
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1880s French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer, Attributed to Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
This stunning gilt bronze clock and barometer pair was created in circa 1860 in France. The two have been attributed to Raingo Frères, the prestigious, ...
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Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite mantel clock French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 47cm, width 19cm, depth 19cm This wonderful Louis XVI style mantel clock is designed in malachite and gilt bronze—with the malachite being a later veneer. The clock takes after a famous original 1775 model by Brécourt, known as 'Vase pendule...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Onyx, Marble, Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
This colorful pedestal clock has been crafted from fine red marble and green onyx, and beautifully decorated with gilt bronze (ormolu) and champlevé enamel. While a popular crafts material in ancient times, onyx was largely forgotten about until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century in Algeria by a French marble-worker called Delmonte. Onyx became highly fashionable in France following this discovery, and it was used to create a variety of decorative art objects. The clock features a green onyx cube-shaped case, which is surmounted by a slightly projecting red marble top. This top is fringed with champlevé enamel drapery-like motifs, with gilt bronze drop-finials. The case is mounted on its front with a circular dial, which features a central floral champlevé enamel motif, encircled by black Arabic Numerals. This dial is set within a gilt bronze egg-and-dart and champlevé enamel bezel. The sides of the case are mounted with circular gilt bronze barometers...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Antique French Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock with Musical Design Motif
Located in Madrid, ES
A true museum piece, this beautifully sculptural clock could easily find its home in a traditional environment, or be a functional and explosive counterpoint to a minimalist interior...
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19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Ormolu

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set was created in France in circa 1870, in the late 19th century. The set, which consists of a mantel clock and pair of candelabra is crafted from gilt bronze (...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

French gilt bronze and enamel three-piece clock set
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and enamel three-piece clock set French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 45cm, width 26cm, depth 14.5cm Candelabra: Height 31.5cm, width 21cm, depth 9cm This char...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Enamel

Napoleon III Period Neoclassical Style Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III Period neoclassical style three-piece clock set. French, 19th century Dimensions: Height 58cm, width 47cm, depth 19cm Comprised of a mantel clock and two flanking c...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Enamel, 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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