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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu, black Belgian and white Carrara marble clock, signed Vaillant à Paris. The clock is raised by a black Belgian marble base with fine ormolu topie feet and striking fitted ormolu plaques...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, 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...
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Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
Rococo style gilt bronze mounted porcelain clock garniture French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 13...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Portico clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Superb gilt bronze portico clock signed M. Morer, Rue Dauphine, Paris. L Dalton signed by hand on the pendulum.
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Malachite Louis XVI Clock
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and malachite Louis XVI clock French, late 18th century Measures: Height 69cm, width 36cm, depth 13.5cm This fine Louis XVI mantel clock is wrought from malachite and gilt bronze. The malachite veneer is a later, beneficial refinishing. The clock features a plinth-form malachite base supporting four malachite columns, each with a gilt bronze capital. The columns raise an ornately shaped top, which is inset with a circular white enamel dial and is surmounted by urn-form finials. Beneath the dial is suspended an ornately cast and finished gilt bronze drapery...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Ormolu Clock Stamped ‘DENIERE A PARIS”
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu clock stamped 'DENIERE A PARIS". The clock is raised by square tapered fluted feet with fine...
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19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Napoléon III Sèvres Style Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoléon III gilt-bronze and sèvres style cobalt blue ground 'Jewelled' Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of five-light vase candel...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze cartel clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large French Louis XV style gilt bronze cartel clock. After the model by Jacques Caffièri. The cartouche-shaped case representing sunrise an...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Onyx and Ormolu mantel clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Onyx and Ormolu mantel clock. This exceptional clock themed around the classical art is raised on ball feet below a two...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Ormolu

Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
By Popon A Paris
Located in London, GB
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 68cm, width 63cm, depth 26cm Candelabra: Height 89cm, ...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Tôle, Bronze

Gilt-Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer Set by Lerolle Frères
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze cartel clock and Barometer set by Lerolle Frères French, c. 1860 Measures: Barometer: height 71cm, width 43cm, depth 15cm Clock: height 7...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Antique 19th Century French Regency Style Gilt Bronze Clock, Thuret A Paris
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A Monumental 19th Century Regency Style Gilt-Bronze Inlaid Grand Cartel de Applique, In the Manner of André-Charles Boulle. This impressive and large cartel clock has a circular, arabesque chased, brass dial with Roman numerals on enamelled cartouches, with engraved seconds and steel hands. The rear of the clock is open cased. The dial sits within a waisted case, with large acanthus mounted gilt-bronze volutes, surmounted by a palmette mascaron and a figure of Jupiter as a child and an enamel cartouche signed ‘Thuret A PARIS’. It is supported on large foliate mounted scrolls and decorated to the sides with Boulle marquetry panels and lion mask mounts. An eighteenth-century version of this clock by ‘Mynuel A Paris’ (Maitre 1720) is illustrated by Tardy in ‘La Pendule Francaise’, 1ere partie, p. 141. Initially conceived by C. Cressent, the design was further refined by A.C. Boulle before being embraced by J.J. de Saint-Germain. The earliest examples of this distinctive style bear the signature of clockmaker J. III Thuret. Only a handful of identical specimens of this model are known to exist. One such identical piece resides in the Frick Collection in New York, originating from the Dalva Brothers...
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19th Century French Other Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Clock by Roque, Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu clock by Roque, Paris. The clock is raised by elegant circular mottled feet with fine wrap around foliate band...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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...
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19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Belle Époque Period Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Belle Époque period gilt bronze and enamel clock set French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 15cm Vases: Height 29cm, diameter 11.5cm Candlestic...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

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...
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1810s Belgian Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Clock in the Louis XVI Taste
Located in London, GB
A mantle clock in the Louis XVI taste by Raingo Freres, Paris Constructed in gilt bronze, and dressed with Bleu Celeste framed porcelain panels, decorated in polychromes, in the '...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful early 20th Century clock set with later lapis veneer will make a stunning Neoclassical style addition to a mantelpiece and a bold i...
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Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 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...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Marble Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
The large and elegant antique French Empire style bronze and marble figural clock features a rectangular stepped base of dark green marble, raised on four gilt bronze feet cast with ...
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19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze, Rouge Marble and Jewelled Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This majestic three-piece clock set is truly a sight to behold, and features beautifully contrasting rouge marble, gilt bronze and glittering jewels. The set comprises a central cloc...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

English Egyptian Revival Mantel Clock with Fusee Movement by Moore of London
Located in London, GB
A fabulous and very rare antique English, Egyptian revival mantel clock with fusee movement by John Moore and Sons of London. This clock has a number of very unusual features. Constr...
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1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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...
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1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A Japonisme Gilt-Bronze and Brass Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
A Japonisme gilt-bronze and brass three-piece clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: height 52cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm Candelabra: height 55cm, width 32cm, depth 9cm Made in F...
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Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Neoclassical Style Malachite, Silvered and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This spectacular clock set is based on the works of the esteemed Neoclassical artist James Pradier (French, 1790-1852), whose sculptures can be found in nearly all of Paris's major m...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock
Located in London, GB
French Japonisme style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock French, 19th Century Height 30cm, width 18cm, depth 14.5cm This fine mantel clock is of rectangular form, with a gilt bron...
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19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Enamel

Antique French Sevres Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th century gilded ormolu and pink Sevres porcelain mantel clock. Having monopodia supports, a putti supporti...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Three-Piece Porcelain, Champlevé Enamel, and Ormolu Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Large three-piece porcelain, champlevé enamel, and ormolu mounted clock set French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: height 46cm, width 25cm, depth 15cm Vases: height 38cm, width 14cm, depth 11cm This exceptional antique clock set consists of a central clock flanked by a pair of small vases...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Charles X period "Au bon Sauvage" mantel clock. Very rare, this is not a model we have ever seen before, possibly a one off. Set upon f...
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1820s Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Louis XVI Period Gilt Bronze Mounted Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI period gilt bronze mounted malachite clock French, late 18th century Measures: Height 50cm, width 34.5cm, depth 13.5cm This fine mantel clock was produced during the e...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Museum Quality French Marble And Ormolu Clock circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lovely clock is in good running order. It was retailed by Bigelow Kennard in Boston, MA.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sèvres porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine topie shaped feet below the ormolu base which is decorated with elegant...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, 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...
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1820s English Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality mid-19th century French Louis XIV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by four tapered fluted legs decorated with acanthus leaves. The scalloped shaped c...
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19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
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Late 19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

A Large Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Cobalt Blue Ground Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture. Comprising a mantle clock and a pair of vases and covers. The mantel clock modelled w...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

A Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
Located in New York, NY
A Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid  A magnificent and large clock with gilt bronze Cupid mounted to the clock face. He is flanked by a painter's palette and a...
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Late 19th Century Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, 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...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Large Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th Century Measures: Height 52cm, width 28cm, depth 17.5cm This superb Empi...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large French Art Nouveau Mantel Clock and Garniture
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Large French Art Nouveau Mantel Clock and Garniture This impressive clock set features a woman and child holding a floral branch with a bird perched above. A striking centrepiece...
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Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Spelter, Ormolu

Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock was crafted in circa 1870 in France. Known as a carriage clock, it was designed for use when travelling. Such clocks were crafted on a small scale with handles, ...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Mid 19th Century Charles X Period Ormolu Portico Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French mid 19th century Charles X period ormolu portico clock. The clock is raised by fine bun feet below the rectangular base with an elegant mottled design and richl...
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19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Gilt Bronze Mounted Malachite Turning Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze mounted malachite turning mantel clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height 75cm, width 28cm, depth 25.5cm The malachite mantel clock case is st...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu

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...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Chinoiserie Style Gilt-Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare Chinoiserie style gilt-bronze and enamel figural clock. This elegant and sophisticated clock has a finely chiselled gilt-bronze case with gold and enamel highlights. It dep...
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19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Mantle Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French late 19th century gilded ormolu and champleve enamel mantel (fireplace) clock. Having urns and a cherub above the eight day clock that chimes...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French Ormolu Figural Mantel Clock with Glass Dome, circa 1820
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Charles X period ormolu mantel clock. The drum case flanked by a young couple standing under a palm tree with flowers all around, while the lady touched the man's hand. The...
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1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock + Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality mid 19th Century French gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantel clock with a matched pair of classical five brach candelabra, with putti supporting cornucopia. The c...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Belle Époque Rococo Style Bracket Clock 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...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer by Dasson
Located in London, GB
This fine set comprises a cartel clock and barometer, each of which are crafted entirely in gilt bronze. The clock and barometer cases are identical, and take the form of a lyre. The...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Large 19th Century French Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century French gilded ormolu and Severs porcelain mantel clock. Having putti on either side, holding garlands of flowers. Inset hand-painted Sevres porcelain p...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French White Marble Clock Retailed by Tiffany, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Remarkable 19th century French Louis XVI style ormolu mounted white marble clock with love birds. Retailed by Tiffany. The clock is surmounted...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Enamel

Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Gros
By Jean-Louis-Benjamin Gros
Located in London, GB
Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted tortoiseshell bracket clock by Gros French, circa 1860 Measures: Clock height 90cm, width 52cm, depth 30cm Bracket height 44cm, width 55cm, dept...
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19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Clock, by Denière
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock, by Jean Francois Denière. This stunning clock is raised by four O...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Neoclassical Style Three-Piece Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique neoclassical style three-piece gilt bronze clock set French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 57cm, width 74cm, depth 23cm. Candelabra: Height 83cm, width 27cm, d...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Charles X Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, and Gilt Bronze Figurative Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X malachite, lapis lazuli, and gilt bronze figurative clock French, c. 1830 Measures: Height 75cm, width 53cm, depth 23cm This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Charles X style. The clock, wrought from malachite, lapis lazuli, and gilt bronze, features the distinctive feature of most Charles X period clocks: a large sculptural surmount. In the present clock, the sculptural surmount depicts Urania, Greek muse of astronomy. She is accompanied by a lapis lazuli globe...
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1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze, 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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