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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
Exceptional French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock and Candelabra Set
Located in London, GB
A Garniture de Cheminee by Japy Freres et Cie Constructed in two color gold ormolu, comprising a richly decorated mantle clock and two candelabra in ...
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19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Three-Piece Porcelain, Champlevé Enamel, and Ormolu Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Large three-piece porcelain, champlevé enamel, and ormolu mounted clock set French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: height 46cm, width 25cm, depth 15cm Vases: height 38cm, width 14cm, depth 11cm This exceptional antique clock set consists of a central clock flanked by a pair of small vases...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Fine Quality 19th Century Sevres Style Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 19th century French Sevres style porcelain and gilded ormolu clock garniture. The pair of five branch gilded ormolu candelabra each having Sevres style porcelain urns and pedestals with classical romantic scenes painted on them. The clock having an impressive lidded porcelain urn above with gilded handles either side, scrolling foliate ormolu mounts above the porcelain faced eight day duration clock that chimes...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XVI style Cartel wall clock, 52" 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This large and impressive late 19th-century French gilded ormolu cartel wall clock exemplifies the elegance of the Louis XVI style. Adorned with intricate detailing, it features a m...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu Figural Mantel Clock with Glass Dome, circa 1820
Located in Tarzana, CA
A French Charles X period ormolu mantel clock. The drum case flanked by a young couple standing under a palm tree with flowers all around, while the lady touched the man's hand. The...
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1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI gilt bronze and malachite clock French, late 18th Century Measures: Height 56cm, width 35cm, depth 12cm Crafted from gilt bronze and a later malac...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, 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...
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19th Century French Renaissance Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Hand-Painted Enamel Carriage Clock with Allegorical Themes
Located in London, GB
A fine cased carriage clock The substantially sized 'Gorge' case houses a lever platform escapement, striking the hours and half hours on a blued st...
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19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Steel, Ormolu, Bronze

Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This sophisticated gilt bronze mantel clock is an elegant piece of mid-19th century design, beautifully cast and gilded and set with two delicate Sèvres style porcelain panels. The clock case's finest feature is the charmingly naturalistic scene at its top, showing a full-length sculpture of a female figure sitting with a basket and two doves. They are displayed on a naturalistic, oval-shaped plinth, which is decorated all around its exterior with painstakingly intricate foliate motifs. Either side of the plinth there are two Sevres style porcelain panels, each of which shows a winged putto. One putto is shown writing, while the other is shown holding a dove. Each is set inside a turquoise blue border decorated with delicate gilt scrolls. In the centre of the plinth sits the clock dial, which is enamelled and contains Roman numerals. It is signed 'Prize Medal 1851 / Miroy Fres Brevetes / Paris' after the clock's maker, Miroy Freres...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Early 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble And Ormolu Clock By Raingo Frères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and very important French early 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock by Raingo Frères. The clock is raised by elegant topie shaped feet with fine wrap around berried laurel bands below the white Carrara marble base with rounded sides decorated with richly chased pierced intertwined berried laurel and blooming flower bands, and a finely detailed central plaque depicting charming cherubs playing musical instruments. Above are two exquisite patinated bronze maidens sitting on a mottled support with lovely foliate designs each draped in wonderfully executed garments and holding a wreath and flowers with a charming winged cherub extending his arms up. At the center is the elegant enameled dial with Arabic hour numerals amidst lovely floral garlands and numbers indicating the date at the border with delicate pierced ormolu hands with a remarkable pieced foliate design at the back. Above is the lightly curved fluted top crown with a stunning array of richly chased branches and blooming flowers in a superb satin and burnished finish. All original gilt and patina throughout. Raingo Fréres, established in 1813 in Paris, specialized in the high precision clock...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Grand French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Constructed in bronze, patinated and gilt; the rectangular form case supported on engraved oblate spherical feet, the frieze dressed with a row of female masks capping pillars, linke...
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19th Century English Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Rare and large ormolu mounted malachite mantel clock signed Manière
Located in London, GB
Rare and large ormolu mounted malachite mantel clock signed Manière French, 19th Century Height 60cm, width 35.5cm, depth 13cm With an enamel dial signed 'Maniére / A Paris', th...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Enamel, 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

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer
Located in London, GB
In their elaborate use of C-scrolls, putti figures, stylised acanthus leaves and flowers, this clock and barometer are clearly Rococo in their style. The Rococo came into fashion in ...
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Very Rare 19th Century Coromandel Veneered Year-Running Clock by Thomas Cole
Located in London, GB
A Superb Coromandel-Veneered Mantle Clock The case constructed of very well-figured Coromandel giving the maximum amount of decorative effect, with gilt bronze accents; the plinth base of rectangular form, with everted stepped corners, and precisely chased gilt bronze figures, two representing Mercury-the god of travel and merchants with his winged helmet and coin purse in hand; the others representing Fortuna-the goddess of luck; the sides glazed, with mooresque arcaded pierced mounts enclosing a vase, in gilt bronze with overlapping palm trees above: the top of domed form with an octagonal platform, surmounted by an architectural dome, its engraved detail and structure reminiscent of Byzantine prototypes. The silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals for the hours, and within an arabesque dial divided into quadrants, with the key aperture at 6 o'clock. Below, the manual calendar, and a semi-circular thermometer. The dial signed by the retailer "Hunt & Roskell / London." The mechanism replaced with a one-year duration movement by Achille Brocot. English, circa 1860 A closely related clock, by Thomas Cole, though not bearing his signature, with a case of identical form and differing bronze decoration, previously with Butchoff. A third known coromandel-veneered example, also unsigned, is discussed by John...
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19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Rare 19th Century Sevres Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very fine quality French late 19th century Sevres style and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra, each with ram's head and female mask mounts, dra...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This neoclassical style French mantel clock is crafted from patinated and gilt bronze in addition to flecked black and grey marble. The clock body is formed from a lopsidedly mounted...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

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

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Antique French Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Royer
Located in London, GB
This beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) clock set was crafted, circa 1870 in France. The set is designed in a rich Rococo style, after decorative art of the Louis XV period (1715-1774). ...
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1870s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style French, late 19th century Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
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Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer Set
Located in London, GB
Antique marble and gilt bronze clock and barometer set English, 19th Century Height 49cm, width 20cm, depth 12cm This exquisite set of gilt b...
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19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Enamel, Ormolu

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive clock garniture set consists of a central clock and a pair of flanking vases. The three pieces are extremely finely decorated with painted cartouches of fly...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Sevres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and Sevres style porcelain mantel clock. Having a blue porcelain urn to the top with ormolu swags, scrolling gilded ormolu folia...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Unusually Large 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Obelisk Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The movement is contained in an unusually large (67 cm!) white marble obelisk which is surmounted by an armillary sphere finial. The front with a panel chased with nymphs supporting ...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Pink Porcelain Clock by Japy Fréres in the Louis XVI Manner
Located in London, GB
A table clock in the Louis XVI Manner By Japy Frères The finely chased ormolu case is dressed with pink 'Sèvres' style hand decorated polychrome panels to the face and sides, dep...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

English Regency Mahogany Bracket Clock by Moore of Ipswich
Located in London, GB
A fine English Regency brass inlaid mahogany striking bracket clock. Of good color and restrained decoration. Dial signed Moore of Ipswich. Double fusee movement with anchor escapement.
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1810s English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large 19th Century French Champleve Enamel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality large 19th century French gilded ormolu and Champlevé enamel clock garniture, having cherubs perched on top and to the sides, turned finials and columns. Bright coloured classical motif enamel decoration, flanked by a pair of...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This clock set is designed in a wonderful ‘chinoiserie’ style. This style was inspired by the art of China, and it was very fashionable in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. The ...
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Early 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Régence Style Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
French Régence style gilt bronze clock garniture French, late 19th century Clock: Height 60cm, width 36cm, depth 20cm Candelabra: Height 67cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm This wonde...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mantel clock has been designed in an 18th century Rococo style, which was popularised by the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory. The clock has been expertly cast in bronze a...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period ormolu, Gris St. Anne and white Carrara marble clock, signed 'Mailland, a Paris'. The clock is raised by six mottled ...
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18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Early 18th Century Louis XV Period Tortoise Shell and Ormolu Cartel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and extremely high quality French early 18th century Louis XV period tortoise shell and ormolu mounted Cartel clock. The impressive clock rests on its original wall mou...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XVI Style Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very pleasing French gilded ormolu and white marble clock garniture in the Louis XVI style. The clock having a cherub holding a chicken, the white enamel clock face with an eight d...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality mid-19th century French Louis XIV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by four tapered fluted legs decorated with acanthus leaves. The scalloped shaped c...
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19th Century French Louis XIV 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...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

A Large 19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock In The Rococo Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine 19th century and substantial ormolu clock, of Rococo balloon form, sweeping acanthus swags, scrolls and floral flourishes, which is topped by classical cornucopias. The clock ...
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XV Style Ormolu Grandfather Clock
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine 19th century french Louis XV style ormolu-mounted mahogany grandfather clock, having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts, with three cherubs in clouds around the white and black en...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Three Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt bronze and porcelain three piece clock garniture by Raingo Freres. The circular gilt and 'jewel' decorated porcelain dial of the clock with Roman numerals an...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany and Ormolu Longcase Clock, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany and ormolu longcase clock, circa 1890.
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique 19th Century Raingo Frères Ormolu Bronze Cartel Wall Clock with Cherub
Located in Madrid, ES
Exhibiting the fine design and craftsmanship of French clockmakers Raingo Frères (Raingo Brothers), this impressively large clock, measuring over 1 meter tall ( 3 feet +), is an example of the “Second Rococo” period beginning circa 1830, when the highly ornate "Cartel" style of the early 18th century came back into fashion. The clock is crowned at top center by the figure of a putto or cherub, holding in one hand a dove and the other a garland of flowers. This allegorical figure can represent innocence or purity, and was a popular subject for sculptors of the 19th century. The term "Cartel clock" comes from the French "Pendule à Cartel" meaning roughly "clock in a frame for the wall" - the word "Cartel" meaning in this context "decorative frame". These clocks were almost always made from gilt bronze (also known as "ormolu") and highly decorated. The clock is complete and includes a winding key, and will be checked by our specialist clockmaker to ensure it is functioning properly before shipping. Established in the early 1800s, Raingo Frères was one of the leading makers of precision clocks...
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Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Large Clock Garniture Signed Houdon
Located in Tarzana, CA
An exceptional large 19th century French figural clock set after a model by Jean Antoine Houdon. Mounted with a large bronze model of a cupid holding a gilt bow and arrow, upon a naturalistic base with flowers and doves, supported on a rouge marble and ormolu mounted circular base with inset clock. Each candelabra modeled with a sitting putti holding a branch with two lights in each hand, raised upon a circular ormolu mounted rouge marble base. Signed: Houdon, circa 1860 Dimesions: Clock Height 36? (91 cm) Width 15? (38 cm) Depth 20? (20 cm) Candelabra Height 26? (66 cm) Width 12? (30 cm) Depth 9? (22 cm) Jean-Antoine Houdon a French neoclassical portrait...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Oriental Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set was designed in France in the late 19th century in a fanciful ‘Oriental’ style. The set is comprised of a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra, all of which have been...
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Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

1900 Antique French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Elegant Lady Marble Base Ball Clock
Located in Danville, CA
1900 Antique French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Elegant Lady Marble Base Ball Clock Here we are offering a beautiful French bronze elegant lady figure ball clock. The elegant lady is made of...
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Early 1900s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Louis XVI style, Mantel Clock 17"(43cm)
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu mantel clock. Having a cherub playing a base violin, a four glass case mounted with ormolu foliate and swag decoration, an eight...
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19th Century French 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

Fine Quality French Empire Baccarat Style Crystal Vase Clock, circa 1860
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 ...
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19th Century French Empire Revival 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

KPM Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Rococo Style Clock Set
Located in London, GB
KPM porcelain and gilt bronze Rococo style clock set German, late 19th century Measures; Clock on base: Height 51cm, width 36cm, depth 17cm Candelabra: Height 47cm, width 27cm, de...
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Late 19th Century German Rococo 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...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a pair of five branch scrolling foliate candelabra either side. The white enameled clock face with ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Continental Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Clock, signed Imperial
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative Continental Turn of the Century Louis XVI st. Ormolu, Vert Antique marble and patinated Bronze clock, signed Imperial. The clock is raised on six Ormol...
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20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Mid 18th Century Louis XV Period Tall Case Clock, circa 1740
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational French Louis XV period, circa 1740, tall case clock with an extremely rare mechanism movement signed Jean Charost. The original case in kingwood, ebony and rosewood ven...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A Palatial 19th Century French Second Empire Ormolu Mounted Bronze Garniture Set
Located in Tarzana, CA
An Palatial 19th Century French Second Empire Ormolu Mounted Bronze and Green Marble Three Piece Garniture Set circa 1820. Origin: France Measures: Clock Height 32" Width 21" Dept...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, 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...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Enamel Miniature Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze and enamel miniature carriage clock French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 11cm, width 5.5cm, depth 5cm Case: ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, 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....
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Signed Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French mid 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu clock and candelabra garniture set, signed Barrand & Vignon Horlogerie, Paris. The clock is raised by an elegant scrolled Rocai...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A late Louis XVI marble and ormolu portico clock
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late Louis XVI marble and ormolu portico clock, comprising a central drum-shaped clock with a sunburst pendulum, surmounted by the gilded figure of Athena wearing armour with a plu...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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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