Charles X Ormolu French Mantel Clock Surmounted by Lion
Located in London, GB
A French antique Charles X period ormolu mantel clock. The ormolu in excellent original condition and the case of very heavy, dense construction. All parts are beautifully cast. The ...
Ormolu
French Pink Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
An attractive French Napoleon III antique mantel clock in original ormolu and fine pink, handpainted and jewelled porcelain. The clock sits upon its ori...
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...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
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...
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Patinated Bronze and Onyx Mantel Clock by Mercié and Barbedienne
By Antonin Mercie, Ferdinand 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 (...
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
A Louis XVI Style Cartel Clock and Barometer After Pierre Gouthière
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze and Wedgwood Porcelain Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer, by Maison Millet, Paris, after the model attributed to Pierre Gouthière. The clock dial is...
Enamel, Ormolu
Large Louis XVI style gilded clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite French 19th-century clock set features a striking rouge marble base adorned with elegant gilded ormolu accents. The centerpiece showcases a detailed bronze statue of a...
Marble, Ormolu
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
New Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine 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...
Brass, Ormolu
$12,941 / set
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful three-piece clock set is designed in a French neoclassical style, popular in 19th century decorative arts. The set has been crafted from clear, cut glass and fine gilt...
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.
Marble, 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...
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...
Ormolu
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...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Empire Style Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular mid 19th century French Neo-Classical Empire st. ormolu and marble clock. The clock is raised on a rectangular Vert Maurin marble base with ormolu supports. Centered at...
Marble, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock Garniture
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain clock garniture French, 19th century Measures: Clock height 46cm, width 29cm, depth 24c...
Ormolu, Bronze
Large 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu, Champlevé enamel and onyx clock garniture. Having an impressive pair of six branch candelabra with white onyx urns, inset champ...
Onyx, Enamel, 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...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$2,760Sale Price / set|26% Off
19th Century Large Marble and Ormolu Clock Garniture
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Elegant antique clock garniture set, crafted from striking pink-veined marble and adorned with ornate gilded bronze details. This exquisite...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Clock, Stamped Vincent, 1855
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most unique French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, patinated bronze and marble clock, stamped Vincent 1855. The clock is raised by fine ormolu supports below the ci...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Rouge Griotte Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte marble and ormolu clock by Raingo Frères, Paris. At the base are stunning ormolu mounts of rosettes and scrolled foliate...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Honoré Pons
By Honoré Pons
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock is a truly beautiful piece of design, crafted by the leading early 19th century French clock-maker, Pierre-César Honoré Pons. Honoré Pons...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
$16,347 / set
19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in London, GB
19th Century French pink marble and ormolu clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 44.5cm, width 22cm, depth 20cm This unusual three-piece clock garniture combines stunning pink marble with ormolu classicised decoration. Featuring ornate pierced gilt brass hands, the porcelain dial of the mantel clock is framed with a floral motif that complements the tones of the marble. The clock is covered with elegant gilt-bronze classical decoration: surmounting the dial is an ormolu torch and laurel...
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu and White Carrara Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by fine circular ormolu supports below the demi lune shaped white Carrara marb...
Carrara 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...
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French Napoleon III Ormolu and Marble Carriage Clock signed by Ed. Chartier
Located in London, GB
A beautiful French Napoleon III ormolu carriage clock, with all five panels mounted in red marble. The marble panels overlaid with original gilt bronze neoclassical figures and acant...
Marble, Ormolu
Champleve enamel mantle clock, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu Champleve enamel mantle clock, having an urn finial to the top, columns supported by winged sphinx's. The eight day duration clo...
Enamel, Ormolu
A late Louis XVI marble and ormolu portico clock
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late Louis XVI marble and ormolu portico clock, comprising a central drum-shaped clock with a sunburst pendulum, surmounted by the gilded figure of Athena wearing armour with a plu...
Marble, Ormolu
$24,521 / set
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 ...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Continental Gilt Bronze, Cut Glass, and Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique Continental gilt bronze, cut glass, and porcelain clock set Continental, late 19th century Clock: Height 45cm, width 30cm, depth 22cm Candelabra: Height 46cm, width 23cm, ...
Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Glass and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This French mantel clock is designed in an elegant Neoclassical style, after the decorative arts of the Louis XVI period (1754-1793). This clock will look beautiful placed on a mante...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Three-Piece Louis XV Rococo Style Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
Three-piece Louis XV Rococo style porcelain and ormolu clock set French, late 19th century Clock: Height 82cm, width 62, depth 28cm Candelabra: Height 76cm, diameter 22cm Compr...
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer Set by Gleizes
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze and Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer set by Gleizes French, 19th Century Height 115cm, width 30cm, depth 7cm In the Louis XV style, t...
Ormolu
French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, white Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock. This beautiful clock is supported on a circular white Carrara marble...
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...
Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze Ormolu-Mounted Onyx Figural Mantel Clock, Circa 1815
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An extraordinary example of Empire period craftsmanship, this grand French mantel clock was created circa 1815 by the esteemed sculptor and clockmaker Albert Ernest. It exemplifies t...
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
$24,500
Antique Figural Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent gilt bronze clock signed Barbadienne founder, rouge Royale marble base.
Marble, Ormolu
$11,579 / set
Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock set, which comprises of a mantel clock and a pair of vases, was designed in France in circa 1870 in a wonderful Renaissance Revival style. The set has been craft...
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Rare Orientalist Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Rare orientalist gilt bronze mantel clock by Denière et Fils French, circa 1830 Measures: Height 54cm, width 40cm, depth 18cm This beautiful mantel clock is crafted from gilt br...
Ormolu, Bronze
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...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Garniture Set Retailed by Tiffany & Co
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu, white Carrara marble, Lapis Lazuli, and Baccarat crystal garniture set retailed by...
Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
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...
Ormolu
Large 19th Century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu clock set.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A spectacular French 19th Century Rouge marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a beautiful seated Madian holding an oil lamp above masked bracket supports with ring handles...
Marble, Ormolu
Charles X Gilt and Silver Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
An impressive Charles X gilt and silver clock in the gothic taste, France. Circa 1825
Ormolu
$17,710 / set
Large 19th Century French Champleve Enamel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality large 19th century French gilded ormolu and Champlevé enamel clock garniture, having cherubs perched on top and to the sides, turned finials and columns. Bright coloured classical motif enamel decoration, flanked by a pair of...
Enamel, 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...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and unique French early 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu mantel clock, signed by Chapsal a Paris. The clock is raised on finely chased swan supports below a rectangula...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Rouge Griotte, Ormolu and Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rouge Griotte, ormolu and patinated bronze signed clock. The clock is raised by fine topie shaped feet below the circular base with a fin...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Vert Patricia Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Vert Patricia marble and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine rectangular ormolu supports below the Vert de Patricia marble base. A str...
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Style Bronze And Marble Mounted Tall Case Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 90.5 inches high x 26 inches wide x 16 inches deep. Exceptionally elegant antique French Empire style bronze and marble mounted tall case clock, a striking architectural...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Restauration Gilt Bronze Mounted Crystal Lyre Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Restauration gilt bronze mounted crystal lyre mantel clock French, circa 1820 Measures: Height 67cm, width 23cm, depth 14cm This superb mantel c...
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Gilt Bronze / Marble Mantel Clock Featuring Cupid & Triton, Italy 1834
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A superb example of neoclassical artistry, this antique Louis XVI style mantel clock was crafted in Italy circa 1834. Rich in symbolism and detail, the clock features a finely cast g...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Unusually Large 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Obelisk Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The movement is contained in an unusually large (67 cm!) white marble obelisk which is surmounted by an armillary sphere finial. The front with a panel chased with nymphs supporting ...
Marble, Ormolu
Second Empire Period Patinated and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece mantel clock set contains a clock and two candelabra. The set was produced circa 1860, during the Napoleon III period, and demonstrates the eclecticism typical to de...
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...
Marble, Ormolu
Rare 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Inclined Plane Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An extremely rare Louis XVI mantel clock 'a cremaillere', a movement driven by its own weight, where the moving drum barrel is running down an inclined whi...
Marble, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Pink Porcelain Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th Century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and 'Severs' style pink porcelain mantel clock. In the form of a vase with an inset clock face, an eight day dur...
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...
Ormolu
$14,985 / set
French Sevres, Louis XVI Style Clock Set, 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French Sevres style porcelain and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having a pair of cherubs either side of the clock and central urn, classical ha...
Ormolu
Neoclassical Mantel Clock in Ormolu and Sevres Style Porcelain by Ernest Royer
By Ernest Royer
Located in London, GB
This splendid neoclassical style French mantel clock is beautifully crafted in ormolu and porcelain decorated in the Sevres style. 'ER', the mark of French clockmaker Ernest Royer, active in the later 19th Century, is stamped on the underside of the ormolu mounts. There are three Sevres style porcelain plaques in total, all set on turquoise ground: the plaque to the front of the clock depicts a cherub and a nymph as well as containing the clock face with Roman numerals. The two sides of the clock case feature further porcelain plaques, which portray Neptune, Aurora and mermaids. The rectangular ormolu clock case is surmounted by a putto with a dog. There is a neoclassical pilaster...
Ormolu
Grand Figural Cartel Clock, After a Design by Gilles-Marie Oppenord
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important and Extremely Rare Grand Figural Cartel Clock, After a Design by Gilles-Marie Oppenord. Of grand proportions and of exceptional quality this rare cartel clock is after...
Ormolu
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.