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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
19th Century Sevres Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 19th century French Sevres porcelain and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having a very impressive pair of five branch candelabra each...
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1890s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century French Louis XVI Marble & Gilt Bronze Portico Clock C. Bertrand
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A monumental 18th Century Portico clock signed by Charles Bertrand. It is of the classical style of Louis XVI, made of white marble mounted with ormolu decoration. The movement is he...
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18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Goliath Four Glass Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This exceptionally rare table regulator of oversized proportions is deceptive in scale, from the movement and escapement to the pendulum every aspect o...
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1880s French Late Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Ormolu

French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu mantel clock standing on a stepped base and resting on turned, chased feet with acanthus leaf decoration below a finely chased...
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1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Rococo Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu Rococo influenced mantel clock, having wonderful scrolling foliate decoration, the clock face having enamel Roman numerals, an e...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

English Minton Gilt Bronze & Bleu Céleste Jeweled Porcelain Garniture Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
A Fine English Minton Bleu Céleste porcelain ground clock set consisting of a urn clock and two candlesticks with gilt bronze mounts of female mascrons and garlands, hand painted gol...
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19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exquisite clock set is designed in an elegant 18th-Century Rococo manner, in the style of Sèvres porcelain wares. Rococo is characterised by its use of pastel colours, graceful ...
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique 19th Century French Ormolu Bronze Garniture, G. J. Levy, Paris c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French garniture, cast bronze in ormolu, a striking ensemble featuring a pair of seven-light candelabras and a mantel clock. The clock is adorned with foliage an...
Category

1870s French Other Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Mantle Clock Garniture in the Louis XVI Manner
Located in London, GB
Constructed in gilt bronze and decorated with champleve´ enamel; the candelabra have toupie feet supporting the shaped circular bases, on which winged cherubs hold two armed candle a...
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1880s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated bronze, ormolu, and white Carrara marble clock signed H Luppens & Cie. The clock is raised by five topie shaped feet with f...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock is a wonderful piece of French Neoclassical design. It is an unusual and very beautiful item, which has been expertly crafted from gilt bronze (ormolu). The clock will add elegance and sophistication to a mantelpiece. The clock features a table-form body which is topped by a classical urn. The urn is crowned by a pomegranate finial and mounted with twin handles in the shape of rams’ heads with rings in their mouths. The urn is decorated with twisted and cabled fluting, a belt draped with foliate swags, panelled motifs and a ropework band. The urn stands on a table-shaped body which is surmounted by outward-pointing pinecone finials and laurel branches. The stepped tabletop has scalloped corners and is decorated with an egg-and-dart and leaf-and-dart band, as well as a central Green Man mask. This top is supported on six legs which feature leafy scrolled tops draped with swags and hoof feet. Between the legs, there is a drum clock...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

English Regency Thomas Weeks Neoclassical Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock
By Thomas Weeks
Located in London, GB
A superb quality and rare antique George III/English Regency neoclassical mantel clock by Thomas Weekes but signed as a conceit "Semaine a Paris". The beautifully elegant clock in wh...
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Early 1800s English Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Rococo Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantel clock, having wonderful scrolling foliate decoration in the Rococo style, garlands of flowers draped eith...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Early 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble And Ormolu Clock By Raingo Frères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and very important French early 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock by Raingo Frères. The clock is raised by elegant topie shaped feet with fine wrap around berried laurel bands below the white Carrara marble base with rounded sides decorated with richly chased pierced intertwined berried laurel and blooming flower bands, and a finely detailed central plaque depicting charming cherubs playing musical instruments. Above are two exquisite patinated bronze maidens sitting on a mottled support with lovely foliate designs each draped in wonderfully executed garments and holding a wreath and flowers with a charming winged cherub extending his arms up. At the center is the elegant enameled dial with Arabic hour numerals amidst lovely floral garlands and numbers indicating the date at the border with delicate pierced ormolu hands with a remarkable pieced foliate design at the back. Above is the lightly curved fluted top crown with a stunning array of richly chased branches and blooming flowers in a superb satin and burnished finish. All original gilt and patina throughout. Raingo Fréres, established in 1813 in Paris, specialized in the high precision clock...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze clock set French, late 19th century Clock height 52cm, width 39cm, depth 15cm Vases height 38cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm This be...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style
Located in London, GB
Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style French, Late 19th Century Clock: Height 55cm, width 33cm, depth 16cm Candelabra: Height 62.5cm, width 1...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Alabaster, Silver Plate, Bronze, Ormolu

Large Gilt, Patinated Bronze and Marble Clock Set by Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
Large gilt, patinated bronze and marble clock set by Raingo Frères French, Late 19th Century Clock: height 73cm, width 29cm, depth 28cm Candelabra: height 66cm, width 30cm, depth ...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Classical 19th Century French Enamel Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French Louis XVI style gilded ormolu mantel clock. Having a broken arch pediment with a twin handled urn to the centre. The inset champlevé enam...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century French Pink Porcelain Clock by Japy Fréres in the Louis XVI Manner
Located in London, GB
A table clock in the Louis XVI Manner By Japy Frères The finely chased ormolu case is dressed with pink 'Sèvres' style hand decorated polychrome panels to the face and sides, dep...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Sevres Style Porcelain Mantle Clock c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV style mantel clock, a captivating piece fashioned from Sevres style porcelain and adorned with ormolu accents. Atop the clock rests a striking 'b...
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1870s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

A Louis XVI Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Marble Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Marble Clock Garniture, Comprising a 'Pendule à Cercles Tournants' Modelled with the Three Graces and a Pair of Cherub Four-Light Cand...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pink marble Lyre shape mantle clock, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th Century French Pink marble and gilded ormolu mounts, of a sun burst and swags above the Lyre. A white enamel clock face wit...
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Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Renaissance Revival Enamel and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Renaissance Revival enamel and gilt bronze mantel clock French, late 19th century Size: Height 53cm, width 29cm, depth 22cm The mantel clock i...
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Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Figural Clock By Jouquet a paris
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze figural clock signed by Jouquet a Paris.. This unusual clock is surmounted by a s...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Enamel

19th Century French Onyx and Ormolu Clock Garniture in the Egyptian Manner
Located in London, GB
A Garniture de Cheminée in The Egyptian Manner Constructed in Algerian onyx and ormolu, comprising a large clock and two side pieces; rising f...
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19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set was created in France in circa 1870, in the late 19th century. The set, which consists of a mantel clock and pair of candelabra is crafted from gilt bronze (...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Gilt Bronze and Parquetry Standing Clock by Kahn in the Régence Style
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...
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Early 20th Century French Régence Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Louis XVI style, Mantel Clock 17"(43cm)
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu mantel clock. Having a cherub playing a base violin, a four glass case mounted with ormolu foliate and swag decoration, an eight...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

'Three Graces, ' Three-Piece Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This garniture comprises three pieces: a mantel clock and two flanking candelabra, the entire ensemble designed and ornamented in an ornate neoclassical style. The garniture is composed of gilt bronze and lapis lazuli, with the lapis elements being a later addition. The mantel clock, which is supported by a lapis trefoil form base set on its sides with gilt bronze pierced foliate mounts, the gilt bronze contrasting beautifully with the lapis lazuli, contains a figural group of the three graces, sculpted from bronze and exquisitely gilded. The trio holds above their heads the spherical clock...
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Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze

Fine Antique French Tiffany & Co. Marble and Ormolu Bronze Clock Garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant 19th century ormolu mounted marble 3 piece clock garniture. This clock set was made in France for Tiffany & Company in the late 19th century. The set comprised of a clock...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Arch top French mantel clock in a finely decorated Ormolu case with classical scene to the front, standing on a mahogany base with brass banding and resting on brass feet. Enamel ...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Napoleon III Period Three-Piece Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Lerolle Frères
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III period three-piece gilt bronze clock set by Lerolle Frères French, c. 1860 Clock: Height 59cm, width 52cm, depth 23cm Candelabra: Height...
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1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Metal, 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

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu Bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Louis XV. st. ormolu, patinated bronze and Rouge Griotte marble clock. The clock is raised b...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style French, late 19th century Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
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Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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

Materials

Ormolu

Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid as magician, uncovering flaming hearts with the 3 cup trick. The shaped base with four tal...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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...
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Late 19th Century French Classical Greek Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

Gilt bronze mantel clock in form of Roman ruin
Located in London, GB
This wonderful mantel clock is designed in the image of an ancient Roman ruin. The clock is clearly inspired by the kind of prints, paintings and drawings of dilapidated Roman buildi...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Louis XV Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock by Balthazar
By Michel Baltazar
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock beautifully illustrates the classical myth of ‘The Abduction of Europa’. In this story, the god Zeus falls in love with a mortal woman called Europa. To seduce her, Zeus transforms himself into a white bull. Europa then mounts the bull and Zeus whisks her away from her home to Crete. Europa becomes the Queen of Crete and bears Zeus several children. The clock takes the form of a patinated bronze bull which is saddled with a gilt bronze (ormolu) clock case. This case features a circular white enamel dial with black Roman and Arabic Numerals, as well as the maker’s name ‘Michel Baltazar...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

New Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case
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...
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21st Century and Contemporary German Post-Modern Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, 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 ...
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20th Century French Art Deco Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

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

Large Louis XV Style Rococo Ormolu Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Large Louis XV style Rococo ormolu three-piece clock set by Barbedienne French, late 19th century Clock: height 58cm, width 51cm, depth 19cm Candelabra: height 75cm, width 35cm, d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu, White Carrara Marble and Crystal Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most exquisite French mid-19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, white Carrara marble and crystal clock. The clock is raised on a moulded oval white Carrara marble base supported by ri...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock
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

Antique French Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Clock by Achille Brocot
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent early ormolu (finely gilded bronze) and Sèvres style porcelain clock by renown maker Achille Brocot. It is mounted with delicately painted Sèvres style porcelain with a...
Category

19th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock by Wilson & Gander, London
By Wilson & Gandar
Located in Norwich, GB
French gilded ormolu mantel clock with blue hand painted floral porcelain panels (the panels all separately signed ‘Creilliet Montereai, Medaillon D’or, ...
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1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Fine 19th Century Belgium Slate Perpetual Calendar Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A Belgium slate perpetual moon phase clock with visible brocot escapement to the enamelled dial. The enamel dial to the calendar beautifully painte...
Category

19th Century Belgian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Slate, Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century (Early) French Clock Marble & Ormolu
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Early) French Clock Marble & Ormolu Unique clock purchased in France. Gorgeous Marble. impeccable condition. See Detailed Pics.
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Ormolu Mantle Clock, Louis XVI Style
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting 19th century Louis XVI style gilded Bacchus influenced ormolu mantel (fireplace) clock depicting three putti rolling a barrel on the back of a cloven hoofed putti. The ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI gilt bronze and malachite clock French, late 18th Century Measures: Height 56cm, width 35cm, depth 12cm Crafted from gilt bronze and a later malac...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category

Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Very Fine and Rare Onyx, Porcelain, Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Very fine and rare green onyx, porcelain, cloisonné enamel and ormolu mantel clock French, Late 19th Century Height 64cm, diameter 23cm This beautiful piece is an exceptionally unusual and equally beautiful mantel clock, crafted from a variety of materials, used to showcase an array of superb decorative arts and techniques. Made in France in the late nineteenth century it is formed of green onyx, porcelain (the vase on top), cloisonné enamel and ormolu. The dials are set upon three columns of ormolu, mounted on green onyx, and framed with enamel in red, white, and blue, floral motifs. The dials are adorned with lettering in both French and Spanish, and measure time, temperature, and pressure. An elegant decorative vase mounts the clock, crafted from porcelain, and similarly decorated with enamel elements. Rare in design and even rare in terms of pure quality, it forms a unique antique timepiece...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu

Large Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a pair of five branch scrolling foliate candelabra either side. The white enameled clock face with ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th century Belle Époque period Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely and high quality French 19th century Belle Époque period Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu, and Rouge Griotte marble clock, signed Falconet. This stunning miniature tim...
Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Portico Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu portico clock. The clock raised on a rectangular base with finely chased borders and satin and burnish finish interlocking circ...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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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