Empire More Clocks
EMPIRE STYLE
From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Empire
French Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'L'Angelot Endormi', Reiche, Paris, Ca 1820
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent mantel clock made of fire-gilded and patinated bronze from the early 19th century:
Structure in the form of a tall oval, smooth, fluted stepped gilded base, recessed body m...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Michel-François Piolaine
By Michel-François Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive gilt bronze mantel clock is by the French Michel-François Piolaine. The clock body is raised by an architecturally formed, plinth-shaped base, set to the fr...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Leroy à Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
A magnificent 19th-century Empire-style mantel clock, signed by the esteemed clockmaker Leroy à Paris. This timepiece exudes classical elegance, featuring a finely detailed gilt bron...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Isaac Pearson Reading PA Walnut Tall Clock with Rare Jacob Kunsman Case, C 1845
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid Empire walnut veneered tall clock with swan’s neck split pediment crest with bullseye rosettes and three wooden ball & spire finials surmounting an arched front glass door...
Category
1840s American Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Metal
French Museum Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Char', Thomire, Paris, Ca 1820
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite mantel clock made of fire-gilded and patinated bronze from the early 19th century:
Structure in the form of a rectangular gilded base on four conical feet with chiselling, ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Hartmann À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
An exceptional 19th-century Empire-style mantel clock by Hartmann à Paris, meticulously crafted in gilt bronze. This distinguished timepiece showcases a finely detailed white enamel ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Cérés À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Empire clock signed à Paris
The mantel clock is in gilded bronze representing Ceres as a goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain crops and motherly relationships. In ancient Rom...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm
This fine gilt bronze man...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
This nineteenth-century gilded bronze clock exemplifies the grandeur of the Empire style, featuring a rectangular base with four legs, each intricately carved with subtle patterns. A...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
Figural mantel clock signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal”
The bronze figural mantel clock depicting one of the mythical heroes - Orpheus originates from the Empire period. The cloc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Monumental French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Malachite Clock
Located in Tarzana, CA
A very large and impressive 19th century Empire style gilt and patinated bronze malachite mantel clock depicting 'Psyche Crowning Cupid.'
Psyche crown...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
A French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Silk Thread Mantel Clock, Circa 1820
Located in Tarzana, CA
A French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Silk Thread Mantel Clock
The neoclassical theme with a lady and a mandolin.The clock retains its original blued steel Breguet style hands. The ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Set Vase Clock 19th Century Style Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
This Etruscan vase-shaped mantel clock cast from bronze with gilded elements and brown patina originated from the first half of the nineteenth century. The Empire style was based on ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$5,494 Sale Price / set
33% Off
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Galle, Rue Vivienne À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This is a beautiful antique French Empire mantle clock was made of gilded bronze and marble. The clock is placed on a rectangular marble pedestal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Chaussee D'aulin À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This exceptional mantel clock, executed in the highly sought-after Empire style, presents a captivating tableau dedicated to the theme of music. Signed "Caillouet à Paris," a clockma...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock 'Pendule au char'
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base decorated with a wheat and foliate frieze and raised on four ball feet, the goddess of agriculture Ceres standing while leaning against a Roman chariot with harv...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Lefevre De Belle
Located in Warsaw, PL
This elegant mantel clock is a fine example of Regency-era craftsmanship, characterized by its refined lines and classical motifs. The clock features a distinctive architectural form...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Austrian Clock Holder, Granite and Steel with Picture St Stephans Dome
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful and exclusive clock stand made of steel and granite. Holding a picture of the Stephans-dome. The most famous church in Wienna, Austria.
High quality craftsmanship on all...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Granite, Steel
$2,300 Sale Price
20% Off
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Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Mantel, circa 1800
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Dial signed: "Rocquet à Paris” France.
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French Horloge de Parquet or Tall Case Clock
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19th Century Marble Mantel Clock in French Empire Style
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English Mahogany Tall Case Clock. Circa 1870
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Miniature Dutch Walnut Long Case Clock
By Jan Henkels
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Antique French Empire White Marble and Brass Mantel Clock, 19th Century
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Color: Bronze
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Empire Period Gilt Bronze Lyre-Clock with a Bust of Homer
Located in Paris, FR
Important clock-regulator entirely realized in gilded bronze of the Empire period. It has a lyre shape with seven strings and a bust of Homer crowned ...
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Cupid and Psyche Clock after Claude Michallon
Located in Paris, FR
Clock representing the Coronation of Love or Love and Psyche after Claude Michallon. Psyche, dressed in a wet drapery held by a belt, leans over the central pillar in griotte marble to crown Amour, recognizable by his wings and his quiver at his waist. The gilded bronze dial with Roman numerals is set in the pillar decorated with a lyre surrounded by oak leaves. The rectangular base is decorated with leaves, crowns, garlands, trophies of arms and rosettes motifs. The ensemble is supported by four small winged claw feet in gilded bronze.
This figure created by Michallon (1751-1799) during the Directoire period, after an antique marble from the Capitol in Rome, was a great success due to its elegance and the popularity of the subject of Love and Psyche in the 19th century. It was declined many times notably by Feuchère and Thomire. Some examples are kept in renowned museums such as the Château de Fontainebleau, the Musée Marmottan-Monet, the Hôtel de la Marine...
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Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Drouot Place Moubert
Located in Warsaw, PL
The clock is in excellent and perfect working condition. In addition, it was recently cleaned and serviced by a professional clockmaker who specializes in maintaining museums.The eig...
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Mantel Clock 19th Century, Styl Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
"Mantel clock 19th Century Empire Skeleton Clock From The End Of The Eighteenth Century."
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Vase Clock 19th Century Style Empire by Blanc Fils Palais Roya
Located in Warsaw, PL
This finely chiseled vase clock was cast from bronze with gilded elements originated from the first half of the nineteenth century. The Empire style was based on elements of the Roma...
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Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Petit Pizze À Dijon
Located in Warsaw, PL
Early 19th century Empire clock crafted of gilt bronze, or ormolu, featuring an allegorical scene with a woman sitting at her work table play...
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Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Verdiere À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Profiled and finely chiselled disc feet with a tapered attachment. Rectangular green marble base with a palmette profile on top and a finely gilded, shiny base zone, with Diana walki...
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Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Colin À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Empire clock signed à Paris
The mantel clock is in gilded bronze representing Ceres as a goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain crops and motherly relationships. In ancient Rom...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
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Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Armingaud À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Early 19th century Empire clock crafted of gilt bronze, or ormolu, featuring a shepherd girl is feeding her sheep by the fountain. Below is t...
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Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Bouzzeb À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
The mantel clock, made of ormol (gilded bronze), shows the beautiful figure of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, accompanied by various emblems. Diana is sitting on the circular ...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
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Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
French Empire style mantel clock signed ‘Lepaute à Paris’
This refined mantel clock crafted in transitional Directoire - Empire style from ormolu bronze is signed on the dial “Lepaute à Paris”. The Empire and the Directoire style were based on elements of the ancient Roman Empire and its many objects recovered from excavations at Pompeii, which had been rediscovered starting in the eighteenth century. Directoire style aimed at a simpler, but still elegant evocation of the virtues of the ancient Roman empire. However and the Empire style brought a full return to ostentatious richness. The use of gilt-bronze has reached its peak at the beginning of the 19th century in France, as it was cheaper than gold or silver. For this reason, it became the favourite material for clock cases, ornamental elements, candelabra and furniture ornaments. Bronze was the main material used in Empire style timepieces and both the patina and ormolu techniques were vastly used for ornamentation during this period. However, thanks to the skill of remarkable bronze casters and chasers these objects were not merely timekeepers but became objets d'art.
The French Empire figural mantel clocks...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
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Bronze
Empire more clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire more clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage more clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire more clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original more clocks, popular names associated with this style include Claude Galle, and Michel-François Piolaine. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for more clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,335 and tops out at $44,500 while the average work can sell for $4,339.
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