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Material: 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
Bronze, Steel, Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Sevin and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This ormolu clock is an exemplary work by the famous French 19th century metalworker and foundry-owner, Ferdiand Barbedienne. Working with a design made by the acclaimed onamentalist, Louis-Constant...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm
This mantel clock feat...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock
A fine quality urn with flowing flowers and foliage sits above the clock face surrounded by h...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Lyre Shape Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French white marble and gilded ormolu mantel clock in the shape of a Lyre. Having a sun burst mount above gilded ormolu garlands of flowers, set into the ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, 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
Rare French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze portefaix clock signed Alibert
Located in London, GB
Extremely rare antique French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze portefaix mantel clock signed in the bronze Alibert with two tune musical base also signed Alibert. This model is bas...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Lyre-Form Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lyre-form gilt bronze clock
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 19cm, depth 13cm
This wonderful mantel clock, crafted entirely from gilt bronze, is a magnificent example of the Louis XVI style. The clock is designed about the motif of the lyre—a popular form for Louis XVI style clocks. The clock features a stepped plinth-form base, raised on four bun feet. The base supports the clock case itself, which is wrought to resemble a lyre: the dial is set into the body of the lyre, while the twin lyre arms spring from the shoulders of the case. The arms are joined above by a garland held by scrolled swan’s head finials, between which is situated an Apollo sunburst mask. The gilt bronze surrounding the dial is richly moulded with scrolled forms and grasping acanthus leaves. The dial itself, with a pierced centre, features Arabic numeral hour marks on individual circular enamel cartouches.
The movement is signed ‘Le Roy a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Orientalist Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This striking and highly detailed mantel clock is made entirely of ormolu, and is surmounted by the figure of an Eastern nobleman. He wears typical dress of his location and period: ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain clock garniture
French, 19th century
Measures: Clock height 46cm, width 29cm, depth 24c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Raingo Freres Three-Piece Bronze Cherub Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This graceful, joyous antique clock set is a reminder of why the 19th century Parisian clockmaking firm Raingo Freres is so highly revered: the beautiful...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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
19th Century Ormolu Figural Cartel Clock
Located in London, GB
An ormolu cased Cartel clock by Vincenti & Cie
Constructed in gilt bronze, depicting a well modelled figure of Father Time, carrying his scythe, with a winged cherub surmount, hou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Empire 19th Century Ormolu and Painted Bronze Mantel Clock with Young Sailor
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Empire ormolu and painted bronze mantel clock attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie. Fitted in an ormolu case shaped as a cotton bale, the round enamel dial features Roman numeral hours and Arabic fifteen-minute graduations, indicated by two pierced gilt bronze hands. Shirtless and barefoot, a young black sailor...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock with Mythological Sculpture
Located in London, GB
Large Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock with mythological sculpture
French, late 19th century
Measures: height 58cm, width 46cm, depth 14cm
With large sculptural work depicting Jason and the Golden Fleece...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French 19th century Louis XVI st. Marble, patinated Bronze and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Marble, patinated Bronze and Ormolu pedestal clock, retailed by Tiffany & Co. This stunning clock is raised by a Rouge R...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire ormolu and bronze Pendule au Bon Sauvage clock signed Alibert
Located in London, GB
French Empire pendule au bon sauvage mantel clock in ormolu and bronze. The clock is in extremely good condition. Entirely original gilding. A particularly fine convex white enamel dial with Roman numerals. The figure with original white enamel eyes, sits on the case of the clock, foot resting on a barrel, and pipe in hand. To the other side of the clock rests a ships anchor. The back of the ormolu case is signed Alibert a Paris, for the maker. Tardy has Francois Alibert working in Paris, Rue J.J. Rouseau from 1812 -30 The clock driven by 30 hour chain fusee watch...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Cupid and Psyche
Located in London, GB
Large neoclassical style gilt bronze mantel clock with cupid and psyche
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 54cm, width 80cm, depth 30cm
This ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Small Ormolu French Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Small French Ormolu Cartel clock in a finely decorated case.
Enamel dial with Roman numerals and original gilded hands.
Eight day Fr...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Patinated Bronze and Onyx Mantel Clock by Mercié and Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Antique patinated bronze and onyx mantel clock by Mercié and Barbedienne
French, Late 19th Century
Height 113cm, width 58cm, depth 40cm
Two renowned French makers, Antonin Mercié (...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Sevres and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1870.
A fine late 19th century ormolu and porcelain mounted mantel clock, the painted dial above a courting couple scene, the whole mounted with a Krater vase and ra...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Category
1810s Belgian Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Gilt Bronze Clock by Claude Gallé, France, 19th Century
By Claude Galle
Located in Lisbon, PT
This rare early 19th-century French Empire style gilt bronze clock was created by the renowned Claude Gallé for the 1807 Exhibition.
Gallé is considered one of the finest bronze art...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Ormolu Calendar Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French, 19th century gilded ormolu mantel clock with a calendar dial. Having pink Sevres porcelain panels. Foliate and ribbon decoration, the clock being an eight...
Category
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
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
Unusual Ormolu and Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking vases, the clock with central dial set in a panel of porcelain imitating champlevé enamel with geometric design on turquoise ground...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Three-piece French porcelain and gilt bronze clock set
Located in London, GB
Three-piece French porcelain and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 27cm, width 36.5cm, depth 12cm
Candelabra: Height 33cm, width 20cm, depth 11.5cm
This fine three-piece clock set is by Henri Picard, one of the leading producers of luxury bronze...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Fine Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Three Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Three Piece Clock Garniture
Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of seven-light figural candelabra. Designed as a celebration of music and lyric poe...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, 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
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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock with Chivalric Scenes
Located in London, GB
This beautiful porcelain mantel clock is designed in the shape of a shield which is propped up on a gilt bronze (ormolu) easel support, composed of two shields and a staff topped by ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Gothic Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Period Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly
By Gaston Jolly
Located in London, GB
Depicting a young woman seated at a table holding a book and looking at a celestial globe, above the central dial signed 'Gaston Jolly Paris' and flanked by two busts.
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Egyptian Revival Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set is designed in the Egyptian Revival style, which was in vogue in Europe and America in the 19th century. The fashion was kick-started by Emperor Napoleon I’s campaign in Egypt in 1798-1799. This led to the publication of ‘Le Description de l’Égypte’ (The Description of Egypt) in 1809 (and a second edition in 1830), which documented various aspects of Egyptian culture, including the pyramids, antiquities, ancient and modern buildings, Egyptian clothing...
Category
19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Marble, Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Gervais
Located in London, GB
This three-piece set—composed of a clock and a pair of flanking candelabra—is a truly unique and delightful piece of decorative art.
The clock is modelled in the image of an 18th century sedan chair – that is, a covered chair sat in by a member of the social elite, which was carried on poles by two people. This chair-shaped clock case is crafted from gilt bronze (ormolu) and decorated with festoons and a flower finial. At its centre, there is a circular white enamel dial, which features Arabic Numbers, colorful swag paintings, and the manufacturer’s name, 'Fd Gervais / Ft du Bronzes / A Paris'. The lower part of the case is glazed, allowing one to see the clock’s sun-burst pendulum. Like a sedan chair, the clock case is carried by two patinated bronze putti...
Category
1870s French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Ormolu, White Marble and Tole Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock by Lepaute
By Francois Vion, Lepaute
Located in London, GB
This exceptional mantel clock was created in the early 20th century in France, inspired by an 18th century model by the famous metalworker, François Vion (French, 1737-1790). The clock’s design includes sculptures of the Three Graces holding up a spherical clock with a revolving, or ‘cercle tournant...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Tôle
Early Tripod Table Clock by Thomas Cole with Glass Dome
Located in London, GB
An extraordinary rustic tripod table clock
by Thomas Cole
Retailed by E. White of London
The circular green velvet-clad base supporting three equidistantly spaced brass imitation logs, from which the clock and its mechanism are suspended; housed within a brass bezel conformingly styled as naturalistic logs, the circular etched and engraved gilt dial with elegant blued steel hands, marked at 6 o'clock "E. White, 20 Cockspur St, London", having the hours marked in Roman numerals; the tapered two-tier movement has a six wheel train with five-spoke crossings between spotted plates, the upper section fixed by blued steel screws to the backplate, enclosing a Brocot-style deadbeat escapement incorporating rubies and train to the centre wheel, the pendulum of most unusual design styled as a lidded cauldron over a simulated fire. Complete with a glass dome and key. The front plate numbered “1637.”
London made, circa 1861
Thomas Cole, (1800-1864)
Son of Thomas Cole Snr, a Somerset clockmaker, his history and works are fully recorded in 'Thomas Cole & Victorian Clockmaking' by John B. Hawkins, published 1975, in Sydney. Known as a specialist in making decorative timepieces of the highest quality, Cole exhibited at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851; he warranted an 'honourable mention' in the Paris Exhibition of 1855 and the London 1862 Exposition International, where he was awarded a medal for 'excellence of taste and design'.
Hawkins discuss Thomas Cole's tripod clocks...
Category
19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu, Bronze
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Architectural Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI architectural gilt bronze and malachite clock
French, late 18th century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 35.5cm, depth 11cm
Crafted from ormolu and a later malachite venee...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock
By Jacob Petit
Located in London, GB
Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock
French, c.1825
Height 36cm, width 18.5m, depth 10.5cm
Set within a beautiful porcelain case, parcel gilt, and flor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X 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
Antique Parisian Mantel Clock and Candelabra Set by Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique Parisian mantel clock and candelabra set by Denière et Fils
French, 19th century
Clock: Height 60cm, width 36cm, depth 19cm
Candela...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. Unusually, the clock and candelabra are constructed entirely of gilt bronze. The bronze dial of the mantel clock is i...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This large clock set, which is comprised of a mantel clock and pair of flanking candelabra, is designed in the style of Sèvres Porcelain manufactory goods. In the manner of Sèvres Po...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Marble Clock signed "lefebure fres 5 rue Beranger"
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century Rouge Griotte marble and gilt bronze clock in the Louis XVI style decorated with gilt bronze motifs, of rectangular form the painted floral porcelain white e...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, 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
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
English Regency Fusee Mantel Clock in Ormolu and White Marble by Finer and Nowla
Located in London, GB
English Regency ormolu and white marble drum mantel clock. Typical drum shaped clock, set on four elaborate ormolu toupee feet. The white marble has an applied ormolu mount of flower...
Category
1820s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara 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 Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Three Piece Alabaster Clock Garniture in the Form of a Neo-Gothic Cathedral
Located in London, GB
This exquisite three-piece alabaster clock garniture consists of a central clock with two flanking vases. The central clock is designed to resemble the shape of a neo-Gothic cathedra...
Category
19th Century French Gothic Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, 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.
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The combination of sumptuous, lustrous ormolu and finely decorated Sevres style porcelain makes this mantel clock an exceptional piece. Built in France and retailed by the prestigiou...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Ormolu Clocks for Sale on 1stDibs
Antique ormolu clocks and other decorative objects can be incorporated into a variety of spaces, and while demand for the material and/or technique was at its peak in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries — older French ormolu clocks are especially coveted today — ormolu is still widely loved by contemporary designers and collectors.
What is ormolu?
Ormolu is a brilliant form of decorative trickery. To the untrained eye, ormolu clocks, jewelry boxes and other ormolu furniture and decor look like they're made of solid gold. But those in the know recognize ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — as having been essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
“Most commonly, ormolu refers to a bronze object that has been covered with gold, typically 18 karat or 24 karat,” explains Jamie Sinai, director of the antiques specialist Mayfair Gallery, in London. “For that reason, ormolu is sometimes called gilt bronze or, in French, bronze doré. Strictly speaking, however, the term ormolu also denotes the technique of applying gold to a metal.”
“The word comes from the French or moulu, which translates as ‘ground or powdered gold’ — the form the gold takes before it is applied to a metal surface.”
From the court of King Louis XVI to that of Napoleon I, the French elite snapped up furniture mounted with ormolu, as well as sconces, candelabra and table lamps made from the material.
If you're looking to bring a touch of this 19th-century pizzazz to your desk, an antique ormolu desk clock is a decorative touch that blends ornament and functionality. The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier. Indeed, an ormolu clock is an object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. (This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles!)
Today, antiques collectors and interior designers seek out the finest in antique ormolu clocks and continue to prize ormolu for its extraordinary craftsmanship and history-infused glamour.
“This wondrous material was highly sought after in France as the ultimate luxury. It magically resembled solid gold and sparkled under candlelight,” says Sinai.
Find antique ormolu desk clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.