Classical Roman Clocks

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.

While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.

Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.

The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.

Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Style: Classical Roman

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Satyr Figurals Mantel Clock

$1,903

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Satyr Figurals Mantel Clock

Located in Germantown, MD

A clean Rococo-style gilt bronze figural mantel clock. The clock is a late 19th-century piece, featuring cherubs / satyrs. The style is characterized by elaborate scrollwork, foliag...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu

Alfa Romeo Classic Car Radiator Desk Clock, Jaeger, 1920´s. Automobilia

$1,800Sale Price|28% Off

Alfa Romeo Classic Car Radiator Desk Clock, Jaeger, 1920´s. Automobilia

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos

Very nice Jaeger 8 days table clock. This is a Classic car clock, circa 1920s. It is mounted over a Classic Alfa Romeo small radiator. Fantastic piece of A...

Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Unique Denmark Made Classical Roman Wall Clock with Sculptures and Flowers

$1,613

Unique Denmark Made Classical Roman Wall Clock with Sculptures and Flowers

Located in Lisse, NL

Tasteful and unique wooden wall clock with sculptural front. The magnificent front of this midcentury era wall clock is entirely hand carved out of solid wood. It is difficult to se...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

$7,404 / set

French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top

$1,675

H 20.87 in W 17.33 in D 11.42 in

Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Table Clock Jaeger LeCoultre

$1,400

H 8.27 in W 7.09 in D 6.7 in

Art Deco Table Clock Jaeger LeCoultre

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Art Deco Table Clock Jaeger LeCoultre Origin: Switzerland Materials: Gilt bronze and acrylic 8-day winding (mechanism) Excellent condition – Working Mid-Century Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 18 cm Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the most prestigious and renowned Swiss watch manufacturers in the world, founded in 1833 in Le Sentier, Switzerland. Renowned for its technical innovation and craftsmanship, the brand has developed more than 1,200 calibers and boasts inventions such as the atmospheric clock and the famous Reverso model. Jaeger-LeCoultre Art Deco...

Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mantel Clock

$20,193

H 20.87 in W 11.03 in D 9.06 in

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 Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Jaeger-LeCoultre Art Deco Desk or Mantle Clock on a Black Marble Base Circa 1930

$3,702

H 7.09 in W 9.45 in D 2.56 in

Jaeger-LeCoultre Art Deco Desk or Mantle Clock on a Black Marble Base Circa 1930

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Newark, England

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This Jaeger LeCoultre Art Deco clock is designed with a glass dial set between chrome struts and mounted on a black marble base, reflecting the clean archit...

Category

20th Century Swiss Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Marble, Chrome

A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set

$28,500 / set

H 29 in W 19.13 in D 9.75 in

A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An Assembled Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabra Garniture Set. The finely chased ormolu clock body, with it...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Jaeger “Rue de la Paix” desk clock, France, ca. 1960

$1,200

H 11.03 in Dm 2.96 in

Jaeger “Rue de la Paix” desk clock, France, ca. 1960

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Jaeger “Rue de la Paix” Desk Clock, France, ca. 1960 Original decorative clock in the shape of a Parisian lantern, made of dark green enameled metal w...

Category

20th Century French Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Jaeger LeCoultre World Time 8 Day Lacquered Bronze Midcentury Desk Clock

$2,500

H 3 in Dm 6.25 in

Jaeger LeCoultre World Time 8 Day Lacquered Bronze Midcentury Desk Clock

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: World Time with Date Feature METAL / MATERIAL: Lacquered Bronze CIRCA: 1950's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 8 Day Manually Wound DIAL / HANDS: Bronze Dial, Dauphine Hands DIMENSIONS: 6.25 inches in diameter. Round Raised back 1" to 3" ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. Jaeger LeCoultre is renowned worldwide for their technological achievements in horology. They are the quiet designers behind Cartier's European Watch and Clock...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Mocap 'Discodip' Illusionistic Wall Clock

$753 / item

H 29.53 in W 29.53 in D 3.94 in

Mocap 'Discodip' Illusionistic Wall Clock

Located in Maastricht, NL

Mocap 'Discodip' illusionistic wall clock design: JAN PAUL “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the ...

Category

2010s Dutch Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Metal

Jaeger-LeCoultre Mystery Mantel Clock

$5,788

H 6.5 in W 8.75 in D 2 in

Jaeger-LeCoultre Mystery Mantel Clock

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Norwich, GB

Jaeger-LeCoultre mystery clock in a Lucite case with beautiful chinoiserie decoration featuring a bird in flight and standing on a gilded stepped bas...

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Lucite

Jaeger LeCoultre Vintage Brass Table Clock, 8 Day Movement

$2,000

H 7.68 in Dm 7.09 in

Jaeger LeCoultre Vintage Brass Table Clock, 8 Day Movement

By Jaeger-LeCoultre

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Jaeger LeCoultre Vintage Brass Table Clock, 8 Day Movement Round acrylic and brass table clock from Jaeger-LeCoultre, with a clean, minimalist design that fits into any environment. ...

Category

20th Century French Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Majestic 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Candelabras and Clock Garniture

$61,106

H 27.56 in W 25.6 in D 9.85 in

Majestic 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Candelabras and Clock Garniture

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Wonderful imperial antique french gilt bronze garniture with clock and a pair of candelabras very finely hand worked with nice floral design and beautiful angels, very decorative for...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

$3,250

H 18.5 in W 7.13 in D 4.75 in

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

Located in High Point, NC

19th century beautifully hand crafter cathedral clock in gilt bronze. This is a magnificent example of 19th century French craftsmanship. There are many beautiful details to this p...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Previously Available Items

Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set

Sold

H 15 in W 7.5 in D 3 in

Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set

By Hermle

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set The Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Brass

Viennese Classical Enamel Table Clock

Sold

H 11.42 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in

Viennese Classical Enamel Table Clock

Located in Newark, England

Stunning Viennese enamel table clock circa 1880. The table clock of fine form with four central columns painted extensively with gods and goddesses amongst a central figure of Diana....

Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Ormolu

Brass Sand Clock/Timer

Sold

H 10 in W 3.88 in D 3.88 in

Brass Sand Clock/Timer

Located in Guaynabo, PR

This a sand clock made with glass and brass. Two round brass plates joined by three brass columns semi-enclosed the eight shaped glass containing the sand. ...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock

Sold

H 14.5 in W 18.75 in D 4 in

Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock

By Vincenti et Cie

Located in Bronx, NY

This vintage, circa 1855, French Empire mantel clock is designed with a doré bronze mythological subject upon a footed white marble and gilt bronze platform. The mounted bronze sculp...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock

Sold

H 10.4 in W 9.2 in D 3.2 in

Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock

By Cartier

Located in Dallas, TX

Expert craftsmanship! A rare and important Cartier mantle or desk clock of heavy gilt gold bronze with a polished Lapis Lazuli cobalt blue and yellow gold inclusions. Of classical carriage decorative design with columns and a Greek winged eye touch. Roman numerals and chiseled incised hands and face. This clock is extraordinarily heavy, very solid, tight and works perfectly. This is a bit of a Cartier mystery clock...

Category

1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Classical Roman clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with brass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Denmark, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Hermle, and Jaeger-LeCoultre. 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,502 and tops out at $2,662 while the average work can sell for $1,800.