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Material: Ormolu
Exquisite French Empire Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Clock, c. 1815
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite French Empire ormolu and cut-crystal clock, c. 1815, attributed to Baccarat.
Made from the finest quality mercury gilding ormolu, this c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm
This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique 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
Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Le Roy et fils
By Le Roy
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Le Roy et fils
French, c. 1810
Height 36cm, width 37cm, depth 14cm
This refined mantel clock was created during the Empire period by the esteem...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel
19th century French ormolu and marble figural mantel clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century ormolu and marble figural mantel clock circa 1870.
Parisian made mantel clock with 'foy a paris' marked on the white enamel clock face...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Sèvres Style Porcelain Plaques
Located in London, GB
Rococo style gilt bronze mantel clock with Sèvres style porcelain plaques
French, late 19th Century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 32cm, depth 15cm
This fine mantel clock is a cha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Gilt Bronze Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful Louis XVI style classical cartel wall clock, superbly made in gilded bronze. Of elegant design, with draped laurel swags, rams heads and a glazed aperture below the dial ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
17th Century Obelisk-Shaped Table Clock
Located in London, GB
17th Century obelisk-shaped table clock
Italian, 17th Century
Height 28cm, width 9cm, depth 7cm
A stunning piece from the 17th century, this table clock is a precious element of horological artistry and mechanical innovation. Encased in gilt and glass, the delicate clock is shaped akin to an obelisk, an intriguing symbol that lends a striking visual appeal.
The foundation of the timepiece is a gilt brass and...
Category
1660s Italian Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Large Clock Garniture Signed Houdon
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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 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
18th Century Painted Dial Mahogany Long Case Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An imposing 18th century eight day long case clock by Simister of Birmingham. The amazing mahogany case has a flame mahogany veneered door and the large reeded columns with ormolu mounts to the top. The whole case inlaid with bandings and stringing. The early painted dial...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Sevres style clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th Century Louis XVI Sevres style clock garniture. Having reclining maidens with garlands of flowers supporting an urn ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting late 19th century French gilded ormolu and marble mantel clock, depicting cherubs playing, one chasing a young girl, the other hiding amongst a wreath and foliage. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large Antique French Louis XV Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Large antique French Louis XV style patinated and gilt bronze clock set
French, 19th Century
Clock: Height 99cm, width 83cm, depth 32cm
Torchères: Height 113cm, width 33cm, depth 28...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Parquetry Standing Clock by Kahn in the Régence Style
By E. Kahn
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and parquetry standing clock by Kahn in the Régence style
French, early 20th century
Measures: Height 262cm, width 62cm, depth 17cm
This beaut...
Category
Early 20th Century French Régence Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Baroque 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
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
French mantel clock housed in an ormolu case with stepped base and decorated feet, floral, wreath and cherub decoration. To the side of the dial is a class...
Category
1870s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
French Napoleon III Ormolu and Marble Carriage Clock signed by Ed. Chartier
Located in London, GB
A beautiful French Napoleon III ormolu carriage clock, with all five panels mounted in red marble. The marble panels overlaid with original gilt bronze neoclassical figures and acant...
Category
1880s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock Set, Dolphins
By A.D. Mougin
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning and large original antique French ormolu clock set by A. D. Mougin. It is of the most beautiful Rococo style, featuring a dolph...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Louis XVI style gilt bronze cartel clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Louis XVI style gilt bronze cartel clock
French, late 19th Century
Height 63cm, width 28cm, depth 10cm
This elegant cartel clo...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu, Bronze and Red Marble Louis XV Clock Set
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
An exceptional antique French Louis XV style clock set, circa 1870. Beautifully made in ormolu (finely gilded Bronze Dore), patinated bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble. The clock is mo...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Charles X Period Mantel Clock in Ormolu and Patinated Bronze
Located in London, GB
A very smart and stylish antique French Charles X period mantel clock in ormolu and patinated bronze with original ormolu throughout and surmounted by a fine ormolu urn on a stepped base. The clock signed on the dial "Mallet Hr. de Mg le Duc d'Orleans". The clock is set on decorated ormolu block feet and is constructed of patinated bronze with ormolu mouldings and applied ormolu mounts. A fine ormolu moulding is above the base and above this is a fine mount of a lyre surrounded by volumes of book and laurel. To the top of the clock is a superb ormolu urn decorated with scenes of putti playing, or holding an arrow of love or patting the dog...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Belle Époque Rococo Style Bracket Clock by Henry Dasson
By Henry Dasson
Located in London, GB
Antique French Belle Époque Rococo style bracket clock by Henry Dasson
French, 1882
Measures: Total height 136cm
Clock height 86cm, width 37cm, depth...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Ormolu
Superb 19th Century Grandfather Clock by Haentges Freres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A superb quality 19th century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany and King-wood Parquetry "Re´gulateur de Parquet" Grandfather longcase Clock by Haentges Freres.
The drum...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality gilt bronze and porcelain figural mantel clock. The figure of a maiden placing a garland of flowers over the cherub’s head.
Origin: French
Date: circa 1880
Dimen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Rare French Empire Ormolu Clock of Astronomy Lesson Signed Lafollie a Paris
Located in London, GB
A very rare French Empire ormolu mantel clock of an Astronomy Lesson. I have never seen this model before and it is larger than the other models by Jean Andre Reich. The clock has its original fire/mercury gilt ormolu or bronze doree. The clocks rectangular...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in Orientalist Motif
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in "Orientalist" Motif, circa 1850, a romantic movement/Orientalist ormolu clock with ornate baroque case surmounted by an Arabic rider on rearing steed, with sabre drawn overhead, an enamel dial with Roman numerals, bell-strike mechanism by F.L. Hausburg, Paris, and marked on dial "Medaille d'Argent, Vincenti and Cie...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Moorish Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A superb original antique French Rococo clock. Formed of sinuous leafy curves with floral foliate swag all in finely gilded bronze. The clock stands on a beautifully styled base. The...
Category
19th Century French Rococo 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
French Directoire Period Bisque and Ormolu Mantel Clock Depicting Ariadne
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period bisque and ormolu mantel clock depicting Ariadne. Of Fine quality with sky blue and white bisque porcelain and beautifully contrasting and finely cast mounts...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French early 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality French early 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, signed Veibel a Lyon. This stunning clock is raised on Ormolu topie shaped feet supporting a rectangular marble base. The base is decorated with finely chased Ormolu plaques on three sides, in the manner of Clodion, and with delicate beaded frames. Standing on the base are four Ormolu Doric columns leading up to the Carrara marble entablature decorated with Ormolu pegasi and finely chased beaded trim bands. From the entablature hangs the enameled clock face and mechanism, adorned with a delicate Ormolu frame and richly chased hanging drapery featuring a foliate movements, mythical creatures, and a lovely female mask atop the wonderful sunburst pendulum. All original gilt throughout.
Veibel a Lyon, also known as "Weibel", was an 18th century master clock maker based in Lyon, France. Established in 1783, Veibel began his career by crafting exceptional table clocks and pocket watches. Later he specializes in astronomical regulators...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 18th Century Louis XV Period Tortoiseshell and Ormolu Boulle Cartel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large and important French 18th century Louis XV period Tortoiseshell and ormolu Boulle cartel clock signed Le Faucheur, A Paris. The clock is ra...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XV Style 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Cherub & Maiden Mantel Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Important and Palatial French Louis XV Style 19th century Gilt-Bronze Cherub and Maiden Mantel Clock "In Search of Love", the movement by "Samuel Marti et Cie." The large and impr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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
Renaissance Revival Enamel and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Renaissance Revival enamel and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Size: Height 53cm, width 29cm, depth 22cm
The mantel clock i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze, Sevres Mounted Four - Glass Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine large and impressive 19th century gilt bronze mantle clock, surmounted by a Sevres porcelain hand painted plaque finial, above a dome shaped structure, with a dome shaped beve...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Japanese Imari Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains three pieces: namely, a mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The mantel clock is designed about a Japanese porcelain vase, known as Imari ware. This white ground vase, painted in reds and blues and ornamented with foliate forms, functions as the clock case, the dial centrally mounted and encompassed by Rococo style gilt bronze motifs. This vase is supported by a gilt bronze base, which is profusely ornamented with gilt bronze acanthus leaves, garlands, and, most distinctly, a pair of putti. The vase is mounted with lion head handles to each side, also of gilt bronze, while the lid of the vase is topped by a gilt bronze finial in the form of a putto.
The candelabra are similarly decorated and of similar construction, each one being built about a smaller Imari...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Bronze and Marble Garniture Set with Clock & Candelabras
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze and White Marble Three Piece Clock Set, late 19th century, comprising a globe clock, with strike on bell timepiece movement, supported by th...
Category
Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Marble and Ormolu Mantle Clock in the Louis XV Style
Located in London, GB
A mantel clock in the Louis XV manner.
Constructed in white Carrara marble and gilt bronze; the rectangular form base having bowed ends, rises from gilt toupie feet and has opposed gilt sphinxes and gilt bronze foliate mounts to the facia; the two train clock...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
C19th French Gilded ormolu Clock set.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A French late 19th Century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu clock set. The clock having a classical urn mounted to the top, Lion mask drop handles either...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Louis XV Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The central circular dial surmounted by two love birds, the lower section with two cherubs on either side, and decorated with garlands of flowers and scrolling features throughout.
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mounted Onyx Longcase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Renaissance style gilt bronze and enamel mounted onyx longcase clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 126cm, width 37cm, depth 30cm
This colourful longcase clock was created in France in the late 19th Century. It has been crafted from red marble and green onyx and decorated with gilt bronze and champlevé enamel.
The clock consists of a circular enamel dial, mounted onto a cube-shaped case, placed on a tall body which is set on a short marble plinth. The circular clock dial features Arabic numerals and is ornamented with gilt bronze and colourful champlevé enamel designs. This is set within a circular gilt bronze and enamel frame and mounted onto the green onyx block. The corners of the block are lined with gilt bronze bands, and the sides are set with circular, gilt-bronze-framed champlevé enamel forms. The clock case is surmounted by a slim projecting green onyx and red marble top. This is edged with curvaceous champlevé enamel forms with gilt bronze drop-finials, which imitate fabric.
This clock case is mounted onto a slim, red marble slab...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu-Mounted Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality empire ormolu-mounted patinated bronze and rouge royale marble mantel clock.
The patinated bronze figures depicting cupid and psyche. Attributed to Pierre-Victor Ledure...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Grand Ormolu and Marble Clock Set by Raingo Frères and Salmson
Located in London, GB
Grand ormolu and marble clock set by Raingo Frères and Salmson
French, Late 19th Century
Clock: Height 69cm, width 81cm, depth 23cm
Candelabra: Height 80cm, width 34cm, depth 34cm
This elegant clock set was created by Raingo Frères and Jean Jules Salmson (French, 1823–1902). Raingo Frères, founded in 1832, was famous for its astronomical clocks, one of which is now in the Windsor Castle collection. The set is complemented by bronzes from the renowned sculptor Salmson, a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salon.
The garniture includes a central mantel clock and two matching eight-light candelabra, all expertly crafted from ormolu and white marble. The clock features a central column topped with a finely detailed sculptural group of bacchantes holding grapevine garlands, with cherubs draping them over large vases. The white enamel dial is framed by an acanthus ormolu mount and rests on a base with twin ormolu lion feet.
The candelabra mirrors...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Enamel, Onyx, and Gilt Bronze Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style enamel, onyx, and gilt bronze pedestal clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 125cm, width 36cm, depth 30cm
This beautiful pedestal clock has...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
A French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted White Marble Clock by Denière
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted White Marble Clock
In the form of a fluted column, the circular enamel dial with Arabic chapters and pierced lyre and fleur-de-lys shaped giltmetal ...
Category
1860s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Mantel Clock of Two Cupids Signed Coeur
Located in London, GB
exceptionally rare French Empire mantel clock of two cupids signed Coeur fils Rue St Honore No 140 a Paris. This small mantel clock of exceptional q...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Three-Piece Louis XV and Sèvres Style Clock and Ewer Set
Located in London, GB
Antique Three-piece Louis XV and Sèvres style clock and ewer set
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Height 36cm, width 34cm, depth 12cm
Consisting of a central mantel clock a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted White Marble Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted White Marble Clock, 19th century, the tapering marble block mounted with a frieze and ram's heads issuing foliate and fruit swags, centered by the dial...
Category
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
18th Century French Gilt Bronze & Marble Clock By Rouvière A Paris c.1780
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Crafted in France during the late 18th century, around 1790-1800, the "Venus Et Amour" mantel clock epitomizes the elegance of the Louis XVI style. Carved from pristine white marble ...
Category
1780s 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.