Ormolu Clocks
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Material: Ormolu
French three piece garniture set, signed by the Lemerle-Charpentier foundry
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely detailed and high quality French 19th century Regence st. Ormolu three piece garniture set, signed by the Lemerle-Charpentier foundry. This monumental garniture set cons...
Category
19th Century French Regency 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
Napoleon III Clock Garniture Designed by Sévin, Cast by Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt-bronze and porcelain mounted clock garniture, designed by Louis-Constant Sévin, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, The Movement by Japy Frères.
Frédéric Japy ...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock Set - Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful antique French ormolu clock set in the Rococo style. It features cupid as a cherub, seated to the top with torch and quiver of...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XV Rococo Style Clock and Barometer Set by P. Gravelin
Located in London, GB
Louis XV Rococo style clock and barometer set by Gravelin
French, Late 19th Century
Clock & Barometer: height 77cm, width 32cm, depth 15cm
Designed in the Louis XV Rococo style, this very fine clock and barometer set dates to c.1870 and was made by Parisian makers Paul Gravelin & Louis Marti et Cie in the time of the French Belle Époque. The matching cases are cast with scrolling foliate decoration, with intricate, elegant swirling flowers and ribbons, in rocaille form.
The dial of the clock is painted with both Arabic and Roman numerals and signed to the centre 'Paul Gravelin,' above the dial, and below: 'Paris, 8 Rue Charlot,' while the square-plate eight-day movement is by Marti, an stamped 'Louis Marti et Cie, Bronze Medaille.'
The gilding is of exceptional quality, and demonstrates the prowess of late nineteenth century Parisian craftsmen, who looked to earlier French regal periods for stylistic inspiration yet updated styles, particularly the Rococo, with their own individual flair, as is evident from these fine antique timepieces.
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, 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 Empire mantel clock of the Astronomy Lesson by Jean-Andre Reiche
Located in London, GB
French Empire Antique ormolu & verd antico marble mantel clock of "The Astronomy Lesson" by Jean-Andre Reiche. The fire and mercury gilt ormolu is in excellent condition and is entir...
Category
1810s Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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...
Category
19th Century English Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
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
Grand Figural Cartel Clock, After a Design by Gilles-Marie Oppenord
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important and Extremely Rare Grand Figural Cartel Clock, After a Design by Gilles-Marie Oppenord.
Of grand proportions and of exceptional quality this rare cartel clock is after...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Exceptional French Tiffany & Co Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Marble Base
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional French gilt bronze mantel clock marketed by Tiffany & Co, with classical cast gilt figures of a boy and girl reading on each side of the clock, a central raised panel ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Charles X period "Au bon Sauvage" mantel clock. Very rare, this is not a model we have ever seen before, possibly a one off. Set upon f...
Category
1820s Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Lapis Lazuli Mantel Clock after Falconet
Located in London, GB
French sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-1791) is the inspiration for this beautiful, sumptuous mantel clock. His clock, crafted in the late 18th Century and now on display at the Louvre Museum, caused such a stir when it was exhibited over 100 years later, at the Great Exhibition in Paris in 1900 that one reviewer claimed that it "attracted so much admiration from the crowds gathered around that the pressure was sufficient at times to endanger its safety."
As well as this famed 'Three Graces...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Exceptional French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock and Candelabra Set
By Japy Frères
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
Large French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze cartel clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large French Louis XV style gilt bronze cartel clock.
After the model by Jacques Caffièri.
The cartouche-shaped case representing sunrise an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Miniature Ormolu Mantle Clock of a Lion by Philippe Pajot
Located in London, GB
A rare 18th century to early 19th century Louis XVI miniature ormolu mantle or table clock depicting a lion. The piece is surprising heavy for such a small clock, which is always a s...
Category
1780s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Louis XVI Ormolu Figural Cartel Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
A Louis XVI Ormolu Figural Cartel Clock, the circular white enamel dial signed "Baudoin A Paris" within a cartouche-shaped case surmounted by an urn and ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Antique Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Commemorating Napoleon Bonaparte
By LeRoy
Located in London, GB
This fine mantel clock is cast entirely in ormolu by celebrated Parisian clockmaker Leroy and commemorates the return of Napoleon's ashes to France in 1840. The clock is set on a rectangular, tiered base with four decorative feet. The lower tier is centred with a sleeping lion above a plaque showing the scarf, sword and hat of Napoleon. There is a relief plaque above the lion showing a ship off St Helena (the location of Napoleon's exile) and to either side further decorations formed as martial trophies. To the top of the plaque is a portrait medallion of Napoleon with winged cherubs and the letter 'N'. The circular dial of the clock, signed 'Leroy a Paris', is set to the centre above the base within an ormolu border and flanked by the figures of France and an eagle to either side. Between them they hold an urn, which bears the inscription 'Ste Helene / 5 Mai 1821'. The figure of France holds a flag inscribed 'France 1840.'
This clock was produced in 1840 by Parisian clockmaker Leroy et fils...
Category
1840s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Elaborate 19th Century French Clock by T H Re Le Roy
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th century French clock by T H re Le Roy, having 8 day striking silk-suspension movement with silver dial. The c...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A French 19th Century Mantel Clock “cupid with a drum”
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A French 19th Century Mantel Clock “cupid with a drum”
Chased Ormolu and Patinated Mantelpiece designed as a putto on clouds playing a drum containing movement with enamel dial.
Rest...
Category
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Petite Sonnerie Ormolu Carriage Clock by Grohé with Calendar
Located in London, GB
A Petit Sonnerie carriage clock by Grohe of Paris
The gilt bronze case comprehensively engraved, and having a retractable carrying handle; the lever movement driving the petit son...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most important and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock, signed F. Barbedienne and E. Becker 98'. This impressive cartel clock with its original gi...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer Set by Gleizes
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze and Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer set by Gleizes
French, 19th Century
Height 115cm, width 30cm, depth 7cm
In the Louis XV style, t...
Category
19th Century French Rococo 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
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...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel, Metal
Large French 19th Century Bronze Cherub Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century French gilded ormolu and bronze mantel clock, having a pair of bronze putti entwined around the eight day duration chiming clock with four scrolling fo...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style
Located in London, GB
Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style
French, Late 19th Century
Clock: Height 55cm, width 33cm, depth 16cm
Candelabra: Height 62.5cm, width 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, Silver Plate, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
In its unusual and beautiful design, this sumptuous mantel clock effortlessly transcends the boundaries between sculpture, clockmaking and objet de vertu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Empire-Style Longcase Clock
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive mahogany longcase clock with gilt and sculpted decorative bronze elements such as fantastic animals, diamond-shaped patterns, scrollwork, and foliage. This floor clock is ...
Category
1880s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Champleve enamel mantle clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and Champleve enamel mantle clock. Having a seated cherub above the clock face, and a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This ormolu (gilt bronze) mantel clock is a stunning piece of design, which features beautiful neoclassical style low-relief decorations and three-dimensional sculptures.
The clock takes the form of a tall rectangular case with a circular white enamel dial near its top. This dial features black Roman Numerals and the maker’s signature, ‘Robin/ à Paris’. The dial is displayed behind a glass lens within a foliate bezel. The case is decorated in its upper corners with rosettes, and in the lower section with a stylised depiction of a swan. The case is topped by a sculpture of a wreath, propped up on a roll of paper or parchment. To the left of the case, there is a full-length statue of a man who wears a classical robe and holds a mirror. A lyre leans against the right side of the case.
The clock is set on a wide rectangular base which is decorated with a low-relief scene taken from the classical myth of Dido and Aeneas...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
By Miroy Frères
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...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Duchess du Berry Clock by Jean-André Reiche
Located in New Orleans, LA
This splendid French Empire ormolu mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of the Duchess du Berry and her children, an intimate scene often referred to as "The Eveni...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Cut Glass Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This graceful three-piece clock set is designed in a refined neoclassical style, which was fashionable in France in the 19th century. The set has been crafted from finely cut clear g...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt-Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer Set by Lerolle Frères
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze cartel clock and Barometer set by Lerolle Frères
French, c. 1860
Measures: Barometer: height 71cm, width 43cm, depth 15cm
Clock: height 7...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
A Strut Clock in The Manner of Thomas Cole by Howell, James & Co.
Located in Amersham, GB
This beautiful desk timepiece is a rare strut clock, in the form of a gilded scallop shell, with an engine turned silvered roman dial set behind a bevelled glass with distinctive fle...
Category
1860s English Baroque Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Ormolu Striking Library Clock
Located in London, GB
A fascinating Antique French Empire Striking Ormolu mantel clock
A fascinating clock in the form of a library bookcase, with two children sitting at each side. Raised on a plinth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Steel, Ormolu
Fine American Gilt Bronze Standing Clock by Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Antique chased Ormolu clock case ornamented with hand pierced all over foliate pattern scrollwork, achieved through repousse and engraving, enclosing a p...
Category
Early 20th Century Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Ormolu And Sevres Style Porcelain Three Piece Mantel Clock Garniture Set
Located in Cypress, CA
Exceptional Late 19th Century French Louis XV Style ormolu and Sevres style porcelain 3 piece clock garniture set
Dial marked: Richond / Boult. / Montmartre 21 Paris; Movement marke...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
English Regency Fusee Mantel Clock, by Viner in Ormolu and Derbyshire Marble
Located in London, GB
English Regency ormolu and Derbyshire black marble mantel clock. Typical drum shaped clock, set on four elaborate ormolu toupee feet. The Derbyshire black marble base has an applied ...
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Byzantine Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Garniture by Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
Byzantine style gilt bronze and champlevé enamel clock garniture by Raingo Frères
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 55cm, width 34cm, depth 25cm
Candelabra: Height 67cm, width 31cm, depth 28cm
The present clock set is by Raingo Frères, one of nineteenth-century France’s leading producers of luxury clocks...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
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
Antique 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Clock, Raingo Freres, Paris c.1850
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antiques 19th Century French Rococo-style gilt-bronze mantle clock crafted by Raingo Frères. The clock boasts intricate decoration throughout, with birds resting on floral foliage ad...
Category
1850s French Other Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Fine 19th Century Belgium Slate Perpetual Calendar Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A Belgium slate perpetual moon phase clock with visible brocot escapement to the enamelled dial.
The enamel dial to the calendar beautifully painte...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Slate, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Ormolu Bronze Garniture, G. J. Levy, Paris c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French garniture, cast bronze in ormolu, a striking ensemble featuring a pair of seven-light candelabras and a mantel clock. The clock is adorned with foliage an...
Category
1870s French Other Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Second Empire Period Patinated and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece mantel clock set contains a clock and two candelabra. The set was produced circa 1860, during the Napoleon III period, and demonstrates the eclecticism typical to de...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Column Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style ormolu mounted malachite column mantel clock.
French, late 19th century.
Measures: height 52cm, width 23cm, depth 20cm.
With the cir...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1880
A fine French, gilt bronze ormolu mantel clock with its porcelain face, the case with elaborate garland decorations culminating in a volute krater of flowers ab...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu mantel clock standing on a stepped base and resting on turned, chased feet with acanthus leaf decoration below a finely chased...
Category
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
The contrast between rich blue enamel, in light and dark hues, and bright gilt bronze gives this carriage clock a sumptuous, luxurious feel. With a t...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Royer
By Ernest 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).
...
Category
1870s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Sevres Style Porcelain Mantle Clock c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV style mantel clock, a captivating piece fashioned from Sevres style porcelain and adorned with ormolu accents. Atop the clock rests a striking 'b...
Category
1870s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Champlevé Enamel Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French champlevé enamel and porcelain clock garniture, set in a gilded ormolu case, the porcelain panels to the clock and urns depicting classic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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.