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Material: Ormolu
Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Rococo Pedestal Clock, after Riesener
By Jean-Henri Riesener, Paul Garnier
Located in London, GB
This exquisite gilt bronze-mounted pedestal clock is the creation of the famed French clockmaker Paul Garnier (1801-1861). Garnier worked in Paris during the first half of the 19th C...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Louis XVI Style Gilded Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive gilded ormolu Louis XVI style clock garniture, the clock and candelabra being supported by winged cherubs, scrolling swags and foliage and classical mask...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
The heavily bronze mounted clock with three putti, bronze designs of flowers, birds and instruments, sitting...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Grandfather Clock Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Napoleon III ormolu mounted mahogany grandfather clock Circa 1885-1890. This is a beautiful clock, with wonderful exotic wood inlays and ormolu finishings. It is in th...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very fine quality 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and champlevé enamel clock garniture, the four sided clock having four enamel col...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Empire Gout d'Egypt Mantle Clock Depicting the Goddess Isis
Located in London, GB
A rare French Empire Gout d'Egypt mantle clock depiciting the Goddess Isis, in ormolu, red or rouge griotte marble and patinated bronze, known as the Thomas Hope Clock. This very rar...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Clock Garniture with Sèvres Style Porcelain and Ormolu
Located in London, GB
This fantastic porcelain clock garniture contains three vases, one of which has been mounted with a ormolu clock dial with jewels surrounding it. The vases are decorated in the style of the Sèvres Porcelain manufacturers, with cartouches to the front and back. The panels on the front depict ladies and putti in a landscape, while the reverse sides depict riverbanks. The vases are set on ormolu bases with canted angles, and feature twin ormolu handles which take the form of masks. The central vase is surmounted by an ormolu putti...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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
Antique French Eclectic Style Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique French eclectic style enamel and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 41cm, width 30cm, depth 15cm
Candelabra: Height 36cm, width 17cm, depth 17cm
This gilt bronze and enamel garniture contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra, all designed in the charming Belle Époque manner. The mantel clock, supported by a flat gilt bronze base, is constituted of a central plinth surmounted by a cylindrical clock...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock Lerolle Freres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French 19th Century Louis XV Style gilt bronze figural cartel clock by Lerolle Frères, the finely frame body with a circular face with Roman numerals, the ce...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Louis XV Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
Designed in a fanciful Louis XV style, this beautiful mantel clock takes the form of an Asian elephant, saddled with a howdah (carriage). The clock features a patinated sculpture of ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Large 19th Century French Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century French gilded ormolu and Severs porcelain mantel clock. Having putti on either side, holding garlands of flowers. Inset hand-painted Sevres porcelain p...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Clock Signed by Denière
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu clock signed by Denière. The clock is raised by elegant topie shaped feet below beautiful block rosettes. At the center is a richl...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A French 19th century Belle Epoque Period marble and Ormolu clock garniture set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock garniture set. This stunning garniture set consists of a cl...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
A Rare and Exquisite French Ormolu and Porcelain Clock, attributed to Deniere
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Exquisite French Ormolu Bronze and Porcelain Clock, attributed to Jean Francois Deniere,
circa 1810.
This large and elaborate clock is made of the finest quality ormolu and porcelain during the period. Of rectangular form, with porcelain and bronze columns painted with flowers and griffins, this clock would make a statement in any room.
To a clock collector, this clock is a true masterpiece! Similar clocks like this, by Deniere, are in prestigious museums and collections worldwide, including the Frick Collection and the Royal Collection Trust.
21.5" high x 12" wide x 6" deep
**For a similar clock see Christies New York, 21 November 2008, Lot # 139, sold for $50,000.
Very good condition with no damages. All original parts. Clock is not running.
More photos available upon request.
Jean-François Deninger, called Denière, was one of the most illustrious bronziers of the first half of the 19th century. Appointed Envoy in Constantinople around 1796, the bronzier Denière entered into partnership with François Mathelin in 1797. They founded a prosperous operation and their atelier had over 200 workers during the Empire period - a number that subsequently doubled during the reign of Louis-Philippe. Fournisseur to the duchesse de Berry and Louis-Philippe, Denière also worked for the duke of Hamilton, Ferdinand VII of Spain, William II of Hesse, William II of Holland, Tsar Alexander II of Russia, and other heads of state. In 1817-1818 Denière furnished some of the bronze work for the redecoration of the White House in Washington. He furthermore produced the mounts for the cradle of the duc de Bordeaux in 1820 and the bronzes for Charles X's coronation coach...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by most elegant scroll acanthus leaves centering a beautiful foliate reserve. ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Monumental and Exceptional French Ormolu and Turquoise Sevres Porcelain Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental and Exceptional French Ormolu and Turquoise Sevres Porcelain Clock, circa 1875
Immerse yourself in the splendor of 19th-century French artistry with this monumental and...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in
This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Important 19th Century French clock garniture by Deniere.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully impressive 19th Century French gilded ormolu clock garniture, by Deniere of Paris. The clock having a classical reclining maiden holding doves among flowers and foliage...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Sevres Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th century gilded ormolu and pink Sevres porcelain mantel clock. Having monopodia supports, a putti supporti...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Wall Clock with Religious Inscriptions
Located in London, GB
This large, gilt bronze wall clock is a magnificent and highly unusual piece. At the centre of the design is a circular enamel dial, with Arabic...
Category
19th Century French Renaissance Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Rare Monumental Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Jules Graux of Paris
Located in London, GB
An Exhibition Quality Garniture de Cheminée
By Jules Graux of Paris
Of important size and supreme quality, the mantle clock constructed from white Carr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Ormolu, Bronze
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
Three-piece French porcelain and gilt bronze clock set
Located in London, GB
Three-piece French porcelain and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 27cm, width 36.5cm, depth 12cm
Candelabra: Height 33cm, width 20cm, depth 11.5cm
This fine three-piece clock set is by Henri Picard, one of the leading producers of luxury bronze...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Belle Époque Period Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu clock signed by Raingo Frères. The clock is raised by lovely mottled feet with a floral desig...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This Sèvres style clock is an elegant piece of late 19th century design, which will make a wonderful addition to a mantelpiece. It has been beautifully cast in bronze and gilded (orm...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
Antique French Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Clock
~ French - Circa 1850 ~
~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~
A fine and early ormolu ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Mantel Clock, signed Ferey au Havre, Ormolu
Located in Greven, DE
Small mantel clock with bas-relief
France
Bronze, enamel
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 33 x 19 x 9 cm
Description:
Antique, fire-gilt portal clock with figurative, Gre...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Carrara Marble and Ormolu Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period white Carrara marble and ormolu garniture clock set signed by Jean-Simon Bourdier. The clock is raised by elegant mot...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
New Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case
By DeART, Franz Hermle
Located in Germantown, MD
A 21st Century German Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case in new open box condition.
Clock made in Germany by the historic, very famous Franz Hermle clock...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Post-Modern Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
French 19th century Louis XVI st. marble and Ormolu clock, signed Derniere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and finely decorated French 19th century Louis XVI st. Gris St. Anne marble and Ormolu clock, signed Derniere. This exquisite and high quality clock is raised on an imp...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Clock Signed F. Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very elegant and richly chased 19th century French Louis XVI st. ormolu clock signed F. Barbedienne. The clock is raised by five toupee shaped feet. At the frieze are two rosettes encompassing a Rinceau design below the berried laurel band. Above is the original beveled curved glass door and enameled dial. The pediment is decorated with acanthus leaves. At the top is the urn of prosperity with a finial draped by a laurel leaf garland...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Antique Ormolu Mantle Clock
Located in London, GB
An attractive Parisian mantle clock in the Louis XVI manner
Retailed by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company
Constructed in Carrar...
Category
19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Samson Porcelain and Ormolu Chinoiserie Elephant Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Samson porcelain and ormolu Chinoiserie elephant clock
French, Late 19th Century
Height 24cm, width 17cm, depth 13cm
This exquisite and...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock Set
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Three Piece Clock Set, the clock case with cupola and columnar supports, enameled dial, the movement with mercury compensated pendulum and stri...
Category
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, 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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Napoléon III Sèvres Style Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoléon III gilt-bronze and sèvres style cobalt blue ground 'Jewelled' Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of five-light vase candel...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
An English Regency Mantel Clock in Slate & Ormolu by Grimalde & Johnson
Located in Brisbane, QLD
Whilst we don't regularly specialise in clocks, we took an exception to this one and it is perhaps the nicest we have had to date. Crafted in London during the Regency period, this t...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Slate, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu And Patinated Bronze Cartel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze cartel clock. The clock displays a most elegant and decorative cloud like design with richly chased love bird...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble and Finely Chased Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. marble and finely chased ormolu clock. The clock is raised on six ormolu topie shaped feet below the white Carrara marble base with scrolled foliate ormolu mounts and beaded border. Perched above is a charming winged cherub holding up an arrow. At each side are lovely ormolu maidens draped in classic attire with their flowing hair, holding up a floral wreath. Centered is the ormolu clock with paw feet fluted and scrolled designs at the base and swaging foliate garland. Above the enamel dial is decorated with a winged cherub bust...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Pink Porcelain Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th Century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and 'Severs' style pink porcelain mantel clock. In the form of a vase with an inset clock face, an eight day dur...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Mid-19th Century Ormolu Marble Clock, Signed Frères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu and Griotte de Campan Rouge marble clock, signed ...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Louis XVI Style Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set is a remarkable antique, which is not only a brilliant piece of technical design—serving as a fully-functioning timepiece—but is also an exceptional work of sculpture....
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Mounted Malachite Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French ormolu and silvered bronze mounted malachite three-piece clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 56cm, width 53cm, depth 28cm
Candelabra: Height 66cm, width 30cm,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Three Piece Garniture Set, Signed Denière
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. three piece garniture set, signed Denière, Paris. The elegant set includes a pair of two arm candelabras raised on sq...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Belle Époque Period Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu clock. The clock is raised by elegant block feet with fine fluted and les oves designs. Impressive mirrored ...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Style Champleve Enamel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality, 19th century French gilded ormolu and champleve enamel clock garniture. The clock has a cherub on either side, an urn with swags to the top, 'C' scroll and folia...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock, signed Samuel Marti. The clock is raised by six beautiful circular ormolu feet with fine fluted...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Stunning Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Boudoir Antique French Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A fine and stunning original antique French boudoir clock. It is beautifully made of ormolu (finely gilded bronze), very well modelled and chased, and mounted with exquisite Sèvres s...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Swedish Black Lacquered and Gilt Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock, Lanner, Circa 1775
By Josua Lanner
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish black lacquered and gilt Chinoiserie tall case clock with arched decorative floral hood, flanking finials, turned bulbous columns, ormolu and steel engraved face, figural flo...
Category
1770s Swedish Gustavian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Steel
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large Antique French Louis XV Ormolu Rococo Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large and stunning original antique French Cartel Wall clock in finely gilded bronze, dating from around 1880. Elegantly designed in the Rococo style of Louis XV, it is formed of b...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Mid-19th Century Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and very high quality French mid-19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock, stamped L. Oudry, Paris. The c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Five Piece Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Five-Piece Clock Set, In the Manner of Edouard Lièvre, circa 1870, Paris.
This extraordinary French Japonisme clock set, ...
Category
19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Very Large French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Very large French Louis XV style ormolu mantel clock
French, circa 1880
Measures: Height 98cm, width 50cm, depth 27cm
This fine 19th century clock is unusually large, standing a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer by Dasson
Located in London, GB
This fine set comprises a cartel clock and barometer, each of which are crafted entirely in gilt bronze. The clock and barometer cases are identical, and take the form of a lyre. The...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
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.