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
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
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
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 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
Bras En L'air French Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This bras en l'air, or "arms in the air," French mantel clock demonstrates the neoclassical luxury of the Second Empire style. The focal point of the clock is a large doré bronze mai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
A French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Silk Thread Mantel Clock, Circa 1820
Located in Los Angeles, 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
Monumental French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Malachite Clock
Located in Los Angeles, 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
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
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
$2,369 Sale Price
20% Off
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Located in New Orleans, LA
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H 99.5 in W 18.5 in D 14.5 in
Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London
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French Empire Marble Ormolu Mantle Clock Set Bronze Figurine
Located in Potters Bar, GB
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H 19 in W 10 in D 6 in
Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian
Located in Darmstadt, DE
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+ The ship in the d...
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H 92.52 in W 25.2 in D 10.24 in
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock of a Seated Roman Emperor
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire period mantel (fireplace) clock showing a seated Roman emperor in finely chased patinated bronze holding a sword in one hand and a Roman banner in the other. He ...
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H 23 in W 16.5 in D 6 in
French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
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French Horloge de Parquet or Tall Case Clock
By Avenol Pere
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Horloge de Parquet or tall case clock from Brittany. Elegant solid cherry case in two parts, with book matched panels and a ch...
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19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
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Wood
French 19th Century Tall Case Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century banjo shaped case clock is an eye catching piece in any space. Topped by an ornately carved cornice above the dial faced door. Supported by an intricate bras...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Iron
George III Green Japanned Tall Case Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Arched bonnet with three wood finials over a glazed arched door enclosing a brass dial signed Benjamin Sudlon, Yarmouth, the centre case with arched door, plinth base.
Category
18th Century and Earlier British Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Other
Gilt French Empire Table Clock, Early 1800s
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire table clock, first half of the 19th century.
Measures: Width 30, depth 11, height 38 cm. Key included.
Later added hatch at back. F...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Brass
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene.
Stock number: CC59.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
English Mahogany Tall Case Clock. Circa 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany tall case clock with scrolled pediment, brass finials, Corinthian columns, and intricate inlaid motif. Mid 19th Century
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19th Century British Antique Empire More Clocks
Previously Available Items
Antique French Empire White Marble and Brass Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19C Victorian Bronze & French Crystal Chandelier
Additional information:
Materials: Bronze, Crystal
Color: Bronze
Period: 19th Century
Styles: Belle Epoque, French, Victoria...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Brass
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Clock, Western Europe, circa 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique Empire clock, Western Europe, circa 1860.
Dimensions: height 224 cm / width 54 cm / depth. 29 cm.
Category
1860s Belgian Antique Empire More Clocks
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Walnut
Empire Period Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period clock, early 19th century, architecture made of sea green marble with a large and magnificent sculpture in patinated bronze of a Love...
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Early 19th Century European Antique Empire More Clocks
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Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Clock
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Swedish Mora clock in the Empire style, circa 1820.
This clock has a lovely elegant shape, with unusual scrolled decoration to the neck. It has been dry-scraped to its original p...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Empire Style Black and Golden Bronze Table Clock, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Empire style Napoléon made in blackened wood and golden bronze using gold and posed with Mercure. Paris clock movement which works well, the bell rings every hour and every h...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
H 16.54 in W 8.67 in D 4.73 in
French Gilded Bronze Mantle Clock with Standing Figure, circa 1840s
Located in San Francisco, CA
French gilded bronze mantel (fireplace) clock with standing figure circa 1840s
Beautiful antique French clock. Great for your desktop, mantel (fireplace) top, or curio cabinet.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Lapis French Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This exquisite early 19th century mantel clock is mounted with gilt bronze and has benefited from the addition of a later lapis lazuli veneer. The clock is formed of a cylindrical clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in London, GB
This beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) mantel clock was crafted in France during the period when Napoleon I was Emperor (1804-1814, 15). It was designed by the famous bronze caster and ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Elegant Empire Gilt Bronze Pendulum Table Clock, France, circa 1810
Located in Paris, FR
Empire Restoration style table clock in gilt bronze
Pendulum in gilt bronze gold mercury, allegory to music, silk thread movement, no key or p...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire More Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Empire Mora Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish mora clock in Empire style from circa 1820. The clock is dry scraped to the original paint
The clock comes with the original clockwork, two iron weights and pendulum. The ...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire More Clocks
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Pine
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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