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Material: Ormolu
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
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
$15,943 / set
German Mahogany and Ormolu Figural Bracket Clock. W. & H. Sch., Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
German mahogany and ormolu bracket clock with gilt bronze pineapple finials, flanking figural floral corner mounts, arched floral side screens, hinged astragal shaped glass door with...
Category
1890s German Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu, Steel
French 19th Century Boulle mantle clock.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th Century Boulle mantle clock, having a gilded ormolu putti seated on the top, Red tortoiseshell and brass inlay to the serpentine shaped case, wonderfu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in
This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock in the manner of Clodion. The clock is raised by elegant reeded topie shaped feet below the ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu and White Marble Clock - Cherubs
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful original antique French clock modelled in the Louis XVI style as two charming cherubs carrying the clock on laurel wreaths. The pendulum with applied musical motifs, swin...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Louis XV Style Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock Set by Denière et FIls
Located in London, GB
Antique Rococo Louis XV style ormolu and patinated bronze clock set by Denière et Fils
French, c. 1870
Clock: Height 59cm, width 52cm, depth 23cm
Candelabra: Height 71cm, width 33...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, 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
Neo-Gothic antique three piece ormolu clock set
Located in London, GB
The central clock with dial to the center, displaying hours in individual plaques in Roman numerals and five minute intervals engraved into the ormolu case in Arabic numerals, the ca...
Category
19th Century French Gothic Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$15,943 / set
Napoleon Empire Egyptian theme mantel clock with musical movement
Located in London, GB
A rare and unusual French Directoire/ Empire clock depicting Napoleon standing among trophies of war including cannon, cannon balls, map scrolls and standards bearing eagles. The sil...
Category
1810s French 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 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
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti
Located in Miami, FL
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti.
Samuel Marti et Cie clocks can be found on display at the Metropolit...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$18,750 Sale Price / set
25% Off
French Empire Gout d'Egypt Mantle Clock Depicting the Goddess Isis
Located in London, GB
A rare French Empire Gout d'Egypt mantle clock depiciting the Goddess Isis, in ormolu, red or rouge griotte marble and patinated bronze, known as the Thomas Hope Clock. This very rar...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt bronze clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
French, Early 19th Century
Height 45cm, width 29cm, depth 19cm
This superb gilt bronze clock, created by the renow...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Eagle and Marble Ball Clock, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze eagle and marble ball clock. France, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Revival Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
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 Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Egyptianesque Clock, circa 1820, the circular white enamel dial with strike on bells movement, signed "Froidevaux a Berne", with hippocamp a...
Category
1820s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Louis XVI Marble Gold Ormolu Gilt Bronze Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Louis XVI Marble Gold Ormolu Gilt Bronze Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock
French, Late 18th Century
Height 40cm, diameter 28cm
Dating to the late 1700s, during the reign of Ki...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Large 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu Female Mask Wall Clock, "Juhel à Paris"
Located in Berlin, DE
18th Century Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Female Mask Wall Clock, sign. "Juhel à Paris"
The ormolu cartouche-shaped case surmounted by a twin-handled neoclas...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
$20,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Large Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mantel Clock, 19th Century
By Henri Voisin
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A Fine quality French 19th century gilded ormolu and white marble mantel clock in the Louis XVI style. Having a two handled urn to the top with flowers and garlands draping down to t...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$9,034 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of French 18th Century Louis XV Period Cartel Clock and Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and large scale pair of French 18th century Louis XV period cartel clock and barometer signed Le Roy & Cie, Paris. Each ormolu case has a exquisite a symmetrical design with scrolled foliate movements amidst richly chased branches and flowers. At the center are the original enameled dials one being the clock and the other being the barometer. Each dial is surrounded by an ormolu lattice design while above are period scenes of a gentleman courting a maiden. The young man stands above the young maiden playing a flute while she sits below reading the sheet music. Two sheep seem to be enjoying themselves listening to the music being played.
Julien Le Roy (1686-1759) was a major 18th-century Parisian clockmaker and watchmaker. Born in Tours in 1686, by the age of 13, he had already made his first clock. In 1699, he moved to Paris further training. He became maitre horloger in 1713 and later juré of his guild. Further appointments followed, including the Directorship of the Société des Arts, but the pinnacle of his achievement was being appointed clockmaker (Horloger Ordinaire du Roi) toking Louis XV in 1739. He carried on his business from Rue du Harlay until his death in 1759. His son Pierre Le Roy...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Very Large Antique Louis XV Style Mantel Clock by Beurdeley and Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
Very large antique Louis XV style mantel clock by Beurdeley and Raingo Frères
French, Late 19th Century
Height 98cm, width 49cm, depth 24cm
This magnificent Louis XV style mantel cl...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Victorian ebonised chimming mantle clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive Victorian period ebonised, chimming three train mantle clock on bells and gong. The eight day duration movement strikes on the hour and half hour. (strike silent op...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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 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
Exceptional Late 19th Century Three-Piece Clock Set by Ferdinand Gervais
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional late 19th century gilt bronze-mounted marble three-piece clock set
By Ferdinand Gervais
The lyre shaped case surrounded with bronze roses, acanthus and lilys, a ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, 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
Early 19th Century English Regency Marble & Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
The superb English 19th century timepiece has a single train fusee movement with a gilt dial and raised numerals cased in a drum head. The two seated reading figures that flank the g...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, 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
French Lyre Shaped Clock with Marble, Ormolu, and Cut Glass
By Maple & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Fine French Lyre shaped marble and Ormolu Clock
Origin:French
Date: Late 19th century
retailed by Maple & Co .
Dimensions: 29" ht. x 14" wd. x 4.5" dp.
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, 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
18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock by Lepaute
By Lepaute
Located in London, GB
18th century Louis XVI ormolu and marble cercle tournant mantel clock by Lapaute
French, Late 18th Century
Height 39cm, width 18cm, depth 12cm
Dating from the latter part of the 18...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, 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
A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Bell Top Bracket Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An 18th century mahogany and ormolu mounted bell top bracket clock. The 8-day movement with finely engraved back plate and the full brass dial signed Pennington, Drury Lane
Circa 178...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th century Ormolu, Marble and Porcelain clock, by F. Pelissier
By F. Pelissier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu, white Carrara marble and Saxe Porcelain clock signed by 'F. Pelissier, France. The clock is raised on an ova...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Napoleon III Gilt & Patinated Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Clock, 19th century, of triangular form, the pink marble top surmounted by seated child, below the circular enameled dial with cherub s...
Category
19th Century European Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Large French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze cartel clock
Located in Tarzana, 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
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm
This fine gilt bronze man...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
A French 19th century Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, by Mathieu Planchon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most delightful and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, signed by Mathieu Planchon. This stunning clock is raised by six finely ch...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
20th Century French Art Deco Bronze Ormolu Desk Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/4 in Width: 5 1/2 in Depth: 2 1/2 in
This antique early 20th century French Art Deco bronze ormolu desk clock is made of the highest quality and perfect for ...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive late 19th century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Having three putti mounted to the top each playing musical instruments. The clock having an ei...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Art Nouveau Grandfather Clock
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau bronze dore grandfather clock with marble & onyx pedestal top and base. *Not working
Category
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Onyx, 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
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This truly stunning French mantel clock was crafted during the Empire period, and reflects the Neoclassical interests of the Emperor Napoleon I, whose influence over the decorative arts contributed toward a profound revival of beauties of the ancient empires.
The mantel clock is crafted entirely in gilt bronze, and features a stepped base on four block feet. The base depicts a Classical relief panel to the front, showing female dancing figures and putti, as well as musical instruments. Surmounting the base is an arch featuring a central mask fountain and basin...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Belle Epoque Period Bronze And Ormolu Annual Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and very unique French 19th century Belle Epoque period patinated Bronze, Ormolu and silvered Bronze annular clock. This rare model annular clock is raised on a circul...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Japy Freres Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Antique French Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent ormolu (finely gilded bronze) and Sèvres style porcelain clock by renown maker Japy Frères. It is of a beautifully chic design, four turned corner columns with a cushio...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality Louis XVI gilt and patinated bronze figural mantel clock of Venus with cherubs.
Fine quality Louis XVI gilt and patinated bronze figural mantel clock of Venus with cher...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Large Empire Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1820-1830.
A large-scale early 19th century bronze and gilt bronze mantel clock, the clocks hunting theme, featuring three different scenes. The bronze Diana...
Category
1820s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
New Large Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Marquetry and Ormolu Case
By DeART, Franz Hermle
Located in Germantown, MD
A 21st Century German Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case in new open box condition.
Clock made in Germany by the historic, very famous Franz Hermle clock...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Post-Modern Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, 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
$59,788 / set
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
A French 19th century Belle Epoque Period marble and Ormolu clock garniture set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock garniture set. This stunning garniture set consists of a cl...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, 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
Superb 19th Century Grandfather Clock by Haentges Freres
Located in Tarzana, 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
$88,500 Sale Price
25% Off
19th Century French Sevres Porcelain Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French, 19th century pink sevres porcelain and gilded ormolu clock set. Having a classical urn to the top, an eight day chiming movement. A romantic scene painted to t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$6,643 / set
Antique French Gilt Bronze, Marble and Tole Revolving Dial Clock
By Francois Vion
Located in London, GB
This exquisite mantel clock was designed in the 19th century in France, inspired by an earlier model by François Vion, a famous Parisian metalworker of the 18th century. In this design, as in Vion’s, the Three Graces are depicted holding up a spherical clock...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Tôle, 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.
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