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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
Large Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock Commemorating Napoleon
Located in London, GB
Large gilt bronze mantel clock commemorating Napoleon French, circa 1840 Measures: Height 57cm, width 40cm, depth 15cm The gilt bronze m...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Louis XVI Ormulu Wall Clocks & Barometers
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Louis XVI-style (Mid-19th Century) ormolu wall clock and barometer set each of banjo form with Apollo mask above putti and ...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Metal, 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

19th Century Louis XVI style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French 19th century Rococo gilded ormolu mantel clock. The eight day movement, chimes on the hour and half hour.
Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Louis XV Style Mantel Clock
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique French 19th century mantel clock. This exquisite mantel clock has a Sevres porcelain dial plate and other Sevres porcelain decorations. The movement with spring suspension. ...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French, rare Champleve enamel and ormolu mantel clock
Located in London, GB
French antique, rare Champleve enamel and ormolu mantel clock. A very rare model with two good figures of cupids holding up the platform on which the clock face rests and the swags a...
Category

1890s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Fine Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock - Gun Dog
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning ormolu clock by Achille Brocot & Delettrez, celebrating hunting and fishing. Finely made in mercury fire gilded Bronze Doré and mounted with Sèvres style porcelain. It fea...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Restauration Period Clock in Gilt Bronze, Romantic School
Located in BARSAC, FR
Superb clock in finely chiseled gilt bronze from the restoration period (circa 1830) presenting a scene characteristic of the romantic movement of the ti...
Category

1820s French Romantic Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This wonderfully ornate gilt bronze mantel clock is covered with fine sculptural decoration, including female busts, architectural motifs and stylized foliage. With its wealth of cla...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Art Deco Ormolu and Onyx Boudoire Clock in the Shape of a Perfume Bottle
Located in London, GB
A very rare and unusual boudoire clock in the form of a scent bottle. The case made of gilded bronze and onyx with a lovely dial of mother of pearl with a fine hand painted dial centre and the hours picked out in gilt. The time is told through two blued steel hands. The time is adjusted and the clock is wound through moving the top of the bottle so no holes or keys of any kind are visible. On the back of the bottle in gilt bronze there is the play on the famous perfume Chanel No. 5 by engraving on the back "Le Numero 7 de Juvenia" (a very famous Swiss clock...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Ormolu

Ormolu and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mounted Clock Set in the Louis XVI Manner
Located in London, GB
A clock garniture in the Louis XVI Manner By Le Roy et Fils The ormolu clock case and accompanying candelabra dressed with blue 'Sevres' style hand ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Louis XVI, Ormolu and Sevres Style Mantle Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantle clock, having reclining putti holding garlands of flowers either side a vase of flowers, two serves style porcelain p...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th century French Empire Period Elm Barometer signed Gabriel
Located in London, GB
Empire Cistern Barometer by Gabriel Of rectangular form, with the case waisted, veneered in burr elm with mounts in the manner of Percier and Fontaine, of cistern type, with bronze ...
Category

19th Century French Empire 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

19th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Mantel Clock by Lemerle-Charpentier & Cie.
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century french Louis XVI ormolu gilt bronze mantel clock by Lemerle-Charpentier & Cie. By: Lemerle-Charpentier & Cie. Materi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Metal, Bronze

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...
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Mid-19th Century French Moorish Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Bronze Three Piece Garniture Clock Set by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual monumental clock set in Griotte marble signed Barbedienne and on the top of the clock you have a bronze made by one of the famous bronze m...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, 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...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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 ...
Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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

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

Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parcel-Gilt and Biscuit Porcelain Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautifully design late 19th century gilt bronze mounted parcel-gilt and biscuit porcelain mantel (fireplace) clock The front carved with Apollo riding his chariot. The bottom wit...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, 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...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Louis XVI Style 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted White Marble Obelisk Mantel Clock
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A French white marble mantel clock of obelisk form with ormolu decorations in Louis XVI style. The enamel dial with Arabic numerals an...
Category

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

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

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Clock, by Alix À, Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock, by Alix à Paris. The clock is raised by six elegant tapered ormolu feet below the white Carrara...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, 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...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Charles X Period Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Charles X period gilt bronze and malachite clock French, circa 1830 Measures: Height 62cm, width 54cm, depth 20cm This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Charles...
Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

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...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Marble and Ormolu Lyre Clock in the Louis XVI Style
Located in London, GB
A French Clock Garniture in the Louis XVI Manner The clock and its accompanying candelabra constructed in gilt bronze mounted Italian Carrara marble; the timepiece with stepped elli...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Blue Porcelain Elephant Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
A French Garniture de Cheminée in the Chinoiserie Taste Constructed in blue turquoise porcelain with gilt highlights, Algerian onyx and bronze, ...
Category

19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Eclectic Style Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique eclectic style gilt bronze clock set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils French, late 19th century Dimensions: Clock height 78cm, width 36cm, depth 24cm, candelabra height ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Neoclassical Style French Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style French malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 30cm, depth 15cm This neoclassical Louis XVI style mant...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu

Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Delafontaine
Located in London, GB
The acclaimed French bronze foundry, Delafontaine, created this remarkable mantel clock. At the time this piece was crafted, in c.1860, the company was directed by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). The firm was famous for its high-quality artistic bronzes, which can today be viewed in major art collections, such as the Louvre in Paris. Shaped like an upside down ‘T’, this gilt bronze...
Category

1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

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

19th Century Marble mantle clock and calendar.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century black and rouge marble mantle clock with calendar. Having a gilded ormolu foliate mount to the top, a gilded clock face with an eight day, hour and h...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Breccia Marble, Ormolu

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

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu

Marble, Gilt, and Patinated Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece clock set by Barbedienne French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 93cm, width 60cm, depth 28cm Candelabra: Height 97cm, width 46cm, depth 33cm This monumental marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece set is a stunning example of Barbedienne's craftsmanship during the Parisian Belle Époque. Paul Dubois' 'Le Courage Militaire...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Large Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style clock garniture. The pair of five branch candelabra supported by a pair of classical semi clad females, ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Napoleonic Gilt Bronze and Marble Obelisk Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Louis XVI style gilt bronze and marble obelisk clock with Napoleonic Military theme. Three crisply cast French Imperial Eagles adorn the clock and refer to the figure of an eagle on a staff carried into battle as a standard by the Grande Armée of Napoleon I during the Napoleonic Wars. The most impressive of the three sits atop the obelisk, echoing the original usage of the symbol by Napoleon's military. The roman numeral dial is surmounted by a suit of roman armor resting upon a boat and flanked by a set of fasces, an eagle soars...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Charles X Ormolu and Paris Porcelain Clock
Located in London, GB
A FINE CHARLES X ORMOLU AND PARIS PORCELAIN CLOCK, THE ORMOLU ATTRIBUTED TO JEAN FRANCOIS DENIERE, CIRCA 1830. The dial signed Bourdon Hr du Roi...
Category

19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Lyre Form Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
The exquisite and fine set comprises a central lyre-form mantel clock and a pair of matching candelabra, all constructed in white marble mounted with gilt bronze. The clock’s lyre-sh...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, 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

Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This stunning clock expertly showcases the ingenuity of its maker, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and its smart styling in the opulent Napoleon III style will make it an excellent addition t...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Sèvres Style Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Figural Clockset
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality 19th century Sèvres ormolu-mounted porcelain clockset. Origin: French Date: 19th century Dimension: Clock: 25 in high; Urns: 24 in high.
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Wall Mounted Clock & Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu wall mounted clock and barometer signed by Barbedienne. Each is set in...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV 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

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

French Louis XVI Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock, Leroy
Located in New York, NY
Louis XVI ormolu-mounted Mantel Clock signed Julien Leroy A Paris France, 18th century A similar clock sold at Sothebys New York for $81,250 (Important ...
Category

18th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

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...
Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Steel, Ormolu, Bronze

French Charles X Musical Ormolu Mantel Clock of Gaius Marius Signed Robert Houdi
By Robert Houdin
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare antique French Charles X period ormolu musical mantel clock of Gaius Marius amidst the ruins of Carthage by the noted maker Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin. The superb an...
Category

1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu and Marble Clock Signed Raingo Frères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock signed Raingo Frères. The clock is raised by two elegant rectangular reeded supports at the front and circular spiral fluted feet behind below striking richly chased elongated rosettes centering a fine pierced fitted intertwined laurel branch also repeated at the rounded sides. At the center is an impressive pierced fitted ormolu mount with Rinceau shaped scrolled acanthus leaves and berried laurel garlands flanked by striking fluted columns with fitted decorative ormolu chandelles and stunning lightly curved richly chased cornucopias with ribbons at each side. The enamel dial displays Roman numeral hour markings and Arabic numeral minute markings with elegant pierced foliate ormolu hands framed within an elegant mottled bezel with foliate and beaded designs. Above is the remarkable top crown a richly chased berried laurel wreath, a quiver, arrows, a bow and the eternal flame all tied with a flowing ribbon and displaying a wonderful satin and burnished finish. All original gilt throughout. Raingo Fréres, established in 1813 in Paris, specialized in the high precision clock...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Ormolu Antique French Rococo Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent and very large original antique French Rococo cartel wall clock. Asymmetrically modelled in the Louis XV style, the dial bursting through the swirling clouds as the sun...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock
By F. E. Becker & Co, F. Barbedienne Foundry
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 XVI Style Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style ormolu and rouge griotte marble clock set French, 1867 Clock: height 67cm, width 46cm, depth 28cm Candelabra: height 81cm...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, 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

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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