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Material: Ormolu
19th Century French Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very fine quality 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and champlevé enamel clock garniture, the four sided clock having four enamel col...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Pink 'Sevres' Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very pretty 19th century French pink 'Sevres' porcelain and gilded ormolu mantel clock. Having classical foliate and swag decoration surrounding the pink porcelain plaques which de...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Raingo Fres, Paris. Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and white marble mantel clock, having a central urn, flanked by Pan like figures each with hoof feet. Swags and drapes of foliag...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Miniature French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Soldier
Located in London, GB
Fine miniature French Empire clock in ormolu. Dating from the First French Empire period with original ormolu and with fine enamel dial and movement signed The clock stands upon fine and delicate toupee feet. The the base is an applied ormolu mount of crossed standards tied with ribbon and with laurel branches. To the left of the dial stands a soldier in greatcoat and bearskin chapeau with moustache epaulets and his arm in a sling and a decoration on his breast. He has his left hand raised and resting on a forget-me-not flower and laurel wreath in front of two crossed battle axes. The white enamel convex dial...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Japonisme Mantel Clock with Floral Champlevé Enamel
Located in London, GB
Antique French Japonisme mantel clock with floral Champlevé enamel
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Height 51cm, width 27.5cm, depth 22cm
Beautifully wrought from patinated bronze and champlevé enamel, this mantel clock is designed in the Japonisme style. The style was popular in 19th Century Europe following the opening of Japan to trade and cultural exchange.
The clock stands on four cabriole feet, with a pierced Japanese style apron to the bottom. The central case is stepped, with the main section of rectangular profile, and mounted with pierced patinated bronze vines...
Category
Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
18th Century Painted Dial Mahogany Long Case Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An imposing 18th century eight day long case clock by Simister of Birmingham. The amazing mahogany case has a flame mahogany veneered door and the large reeded columns with ormolu mounts to the top. The whole case inlaid with bandings and stringing. The early painted dial...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock, Leroy
Located in New York, NY
Louis XVI ormolu-mounted Mantel Clock
signed Julien Leroy A Paris
France, 18th century
A similar clock sold at Sothebys New York for $81,250 (Important ...
Category
18th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Oriental Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set was designed in France in the late 19th century in a fanciful ‘Oriental’ style. The set is comprised of a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra, all of which have been...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Antique Clock Garniture with Sèvres Style Porcelain and Ormolu
Located in London, GB
This fantastic porcelain clock garniture contains three vases, one of which has been mounted with a ormolu clock dial with jewels surrounding it. The vases are decorated in the style of the Sèvres Porcelain manufacturers, with cartouches to the front and back. The panels on the front depict ladies and putti in a landscape, while the reverse sides depict riverbanks. The vases are set on ormolu bases with canted angles, and feature twin ormolu handles which take the form of masks. The central vase is surmounted by an ormolu putti...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Gilt Bronze Strut Clock in the Style of Cole
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th century gilt bronze strut clock in the style of Cole. Original gilding and very fine engraving make this a most attractive clock. The pierced ormolu frame gives a very light...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, 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...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock by Denière
Located in London, GB
An Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock by Denière
French, c.1820
Measures: Height 50cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm
Made in the early nineteenth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Restauration Period Gilt Bronze Mounted Lapis Mantel Clock
By Gérard-Jean Galle
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock dates from the period of Charles X and is crafted from gilt bronze with a later lapis lazuli veneer. The clock body is columnar in form, having a rectangular profil...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock, signed Samuel Marti. The clock is raised by six beautiful circular ormolu feet with fine fluted...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Renaissance style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 28cm, depth 23cm
This exquisite mantel clock is crafted in the idios...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
French Charles X Malachite and Gilt Bronze Figurative Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X malachite and gilt bronze figurative clock
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 62cm, width 45cm, depth 16cm
This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Ch...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Clock Set by Denière
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. The central mantel clock is formed of a rectangular gilt bronze mounted grey marble base. Raised on four gilt bronze ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
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 ...
Category
1830s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Mounted Porphyry Revolving Dial Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This beautiful neoclassical style mantel clock, created from porphyry mounted with silvered and gilt bronze, is formed in the shape of a vase. The movement of the clock is of the cer...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Porphyry, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Pink Sevres Style Porcelain Antique Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exquisite pink porcelain clock set is made in the Louis XVI style and comprises of two vases flanking a central clock. The porcelain clock dial is delicately painted and bears a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer Set
By John Barwise
Located in London, GB
Antique marble and gilt bronze clock and barometer set
English, 19th Century
Height 49cm, width 20cm, depth 12cm
This exquisite set of gilt b...
Category
19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
French 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu wall clock, having Rococo influences to the scroll foliate decoration and cherubs above the eight day striking movement, circa 1880.
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Sevres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and Sevres style porcelain mantel clock. Having a blue porcelain urn to the top with ormolu swags, scrolling gilded ormolu folia...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Victorian French Quality Ornate Ormolu and Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French quality ornate ormolu and bronze mantle clock having a quality bronze cherub to the top ornate ormolu case with scroll, bow and leaf decoration, circular han...
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Directoire Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period mantel clock. Constructed of black marble with white statuary marble mouldings with fire gilt/mercury ormolu touches such as ...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French Classical Mantel Clock, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting classical Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and marble mantel clock, having a standing cherub holding a Cockerel above a white enamel clock face, retails name; Rob. Engstro...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock by Ernest Royer
Located in London, GB
This fine neoclassical style mantel clock will make a sumptuous addition to a grand room, or could be given as a unique gift to a loved one. The clock is the work of Ernest Royer, an...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Marble Clock By Charpentier & Cie.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu, patinated bronze and white Carrara marble clock by Charpentier...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Large Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock Commemorating Napoleon
Located in London, GB
Large gilt bronze mantel clock commemorating Napoleon
French, circa 1840
Measures: Height 57cm, width 40cm, depth 15cm
The gilt bronze m...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Clock Signed F. Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very elegant and richly chased 19th century French Louis XVI st. ormolu clock signed F. Barbedienne. The clock is raised by five toupee shaped feet. At the frieze are two rosettes encompassing a Rinceau design below the berried laurel band. Above is the original beveled curved glass door and enameled dial. The pediment is decorated with acanthus leaves. At the top is the urn of prosperity with a finial draped by a laurel leaf garland...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This endearing French mantel clock combines lustrous ormolu and sumptuous white marble, making for a light and yet majestic work that perfectly compliments the masterfully executed N...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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
Louis XVI, Ormolu and Sevres Style Mantle Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantle clock, having reclining putti holding garlands of flowers either side a vase of flowers, two serves style porcelain p...
Category
Late 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu
French early 19th century white Carrara, Griotte marble and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most attractive French early 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara, Rouge Griotte marble and Ormolu clock, attributed to Étienne Maurice Falconet. This wonderf...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Griotte Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Sienna Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional quality early 19th century Sienna marble and ormolu mantle clock, the sienna marble case surmounted by an urn, raised on ormolu bun feet and a rectangular plinth steep...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Siena Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Skeleton Clock of Ormolu and Marble from Directoire Period
Located in London, GB
A symbolic skeleton clock from the French Directoire period.
A rectangular Carrara marble plinth with bronze toupie feet with knurled decoration supports an ormolu 'arc-de-ciel', wi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece clock and candelabra set is formed of malachite and is fitted with gilt and patinated bronze mounts. The malachite base of th...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Porcelain Mounted Gilt Metal Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set displays many of the characteristics of the 18th century Rococo style. These include gracefulness, asymmetry, and the use of curved forms. The set, which includes a mantel clock and pair of vases, is crafted from gilt metal and is mounted with decorative porcelain plaques.
The mantel clock features a gilt metal rectangular case with a break arch top. This is crowned by an urn, featuring a gilt metal stem and a pinky-red floral porcelain body, which is covered by a gilt metal lid and finial. The case is also topped by a gilt metal wreath...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Mounted Malachite Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French ormolu and silvered bronze mounted malachite three-piece clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 56cm, width 53cm, depth 28cm
Candelabra: Height 66cm, width 30cm,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Venus and Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock with Venus and Cupid
French, early 19th Century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 37.5cm, depth 13.5cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The clock includes a sculptural surmount of Venus accompanied by Cupid. Venus sits atop the square clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Unusual 19th Century French rotary Clock Garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and very fine 19th century French Louis XVI style ormolu mounted white marble 3-piece Rotary (Annular) clock set comprising a clock and a pair of 3 arms candelabra.
The urn s...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Louis XVI Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Circa 1860-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XVI style ormolu and patinated bronze clock with cherubs, circa 1860-1870.
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Charles X Ormolu Mantel Clock by Mongin, Paris
By Mongin 1
Located in Norwich, GB
French Charles X Ormolu Mantel Clock
Rounded arched pillared case with fine ormolu floral mounts, chased decoration to the pillars standing on a r...
Category
1840s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Period Neoclassical Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI period neoclassical ormolu and malachite mantel clock
French, Late 18th Century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 36cm, depth 14cm
Encaps...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Neoclassical style malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, late 19th Century
Measures: height 42cm, width 22cm, depth 11cm
This fine clock...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, 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...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Cloisonne Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful cloisonne enamel clock set is an artful piece of design in the neoclassical style: each piece is elaborately applied with turquoi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Victorian Ormolu Clock and Barometer Desk Set, of Maritime or Naval Interest
Located in London, GB
Each in the form of a ship's wheel with 2.5 inch silvered dial, contained in cases, one with seven turned banded agate handles, the other with eight banded agate handles, each on ova...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Agate, 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.