Empire 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.
263
to
51
144
74
263
263
263
428
409
395
295
287
263
240
178
164
139
108
65
51
39
32
20
18
13
9
242
12
6
3
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
240
188
67
65
51
255
229
6
4
4
6
3
2
2
2
Style: Empire
Venus Clipping the Wings of Cupid Mantel Clock by Thomire & Cie
By Thomire & Cie., Louis Moinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This splendid Empire gilt bronze French mantel clock, signed on the dial by bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire and watchmaker Louis Moinet, features an exquisitely detailed scene of Ve...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th century French Empire Period Elm Barometer signed Gabriel
Located in London, GB
Empire Cistern Barometer by Gabriel
Of rectangular form, with the case waisted, veneered in burr elm with mounts in the manner of Percier and Fontaine, of cistern type, with bronze ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Viennese Empire Portal Clock With Caryatids And Gilded Fittings, Around 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Complete Vienna clock on six stocky ball feet made of alabaster, architecturally structured wooden case with fruitwood veneers in the shape of a portal, steps in front flanked by two...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio
Located in New Orleans, LA
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock
André Antoine Ravrio
Circa 1800
This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Troubadour Mantel Clock
By Le Roy
Located in New Orleans, LA
This resplendent French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of a singing troubadour with his lyre along a rocky river bank. Accompanied by a wi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Eight-Day Comtoise Longcase Clock
Located in Birmingham, AL
A stunning early 19th century French Empire period chateau longcase clock with eight-day comtoise movement handcrafted of solid walnut, circa 1815, all original. This tall, handsome chateau longcase clock, with a deep, rich patina that reveals the beauty of age, features a hood with a stepped cornice over a shaped front dial case door...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Hartmann À Paris
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 e...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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 Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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 Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Leroy à Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Mantel clock 19th Century Empire
Le Roy et fils (French, founded 1785)
Le Roy et fils was a prestigious French clock making firm. The company was fou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire 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 Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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 Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian bronze ormolu walnut Vatican wall clock. Item features glass dome front, bronze ormolu. Has not been tested, circa early 1900s. Measurements: 34" H x ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
A Russian Empire Carved Gilt Wood and Faux Malachite Painted Mantel Clock
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very nice and charming carved gilt wood and faux painted malachite empire clock. Probably Russian.
Ça. 1820-30. The figure probably of the Greek goddess HYGIEIA. She was one of the daughters of the god of medicine...
Category
1820s Russian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts.
The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Fire Gilded Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful fire gilded Empire mantel clock with a shepherdess on top with a wreath and ribbon. On the left a staff with pan flute.
At the bottom of the clo...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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 Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the form of a putto with a wheel barrow carrying a keg mounted with a clock face topped by a crane, on a rectangular chased plinth ending in bun feet.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Dore and Patinated Bronze Cherub Putti Wreath Clock
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré and patinated bronze Cherub Putti wreath clock, not currently in working order, back cover is missing as is bel...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Gilded Wall Clock with Dolphins, Signed Ericsson Stockholm
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Fine and decorative Swedish Cartel clock. Very elaborately carved wooden case flanked by two sculptural dolphins. The dial signed P. Ericsson Stoc...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Style Portico Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire style portico clock.
This e Empire style clock features Carrara marble, bevelled glass, bronze accents and a crystal r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Modelled as a potted flower, the pot decorated with gilt bronze classical figures. With an 18th century English movement.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock 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 Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, 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 Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire period gilt bronze clock with Cupid and Psyche by Le Roy et fils
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mantel clock was crafted in c.1810 by the famous Parisian clock-making firm, Le Roy et fils. The company was founded by Basile Charles Le...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, 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 Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez
French, circa 1815
Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm
This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Sevres Style Porcelain Bronze Mounted Mantel Picard Clock
By Henri Picard
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a Sevres style porcelain ormolu bronze mounted mantel clock. The frontal cobalt blue porcelain panel is hand painted with a winged cherub holding a basket of flowers. Below him,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Empire influenced green marble clock set. Having the arched clock with a white enamel clock face, an eight day striking m...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Figural Bronze Clock Depicting an Allegory to Prudence or Wisdom
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare model of a French Empire mantle clock depicting an allegory to "La Prudenzia" or Prudence, Wisdom or Sound Judgement. This virtue is represented as a patinated bronze statue of of a classically draped bearded standing male figure leaning on a gilt bronze plinth legs crossed and with a sword in its scabbard by his side. There is an an open scroll on top of the plinth held in place by the figure's elbow arm raised and forefinger of his hand pointing at his temple in a gesture associated with thinking. The plinth housing the clock dial and movement is decorated with a serpent coiled around a rod which along with the sword and scroll are associated with "La Prudenzia".
The whole sits on a gilded rectangular base decorated with a finely cast frieze centred by a rondel showing the two Janus heads...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Ormolu Table Clock, Bacchante Dancing With Tambourine, Paris, Around 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Fire-gilded bronze table clock: Dancing female figure on a high, tiered oval base with an appliquéd relief ornament on the front featuring a fruit basket and a Thyrsos staff entwined...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in
This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Dore Bronze Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Empire doré bronze clock, France, 1880s.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Stunning three-piece mantel clock set in Siena marble and bronze, French Empire period. The main piece at center features a cast bronze hound sitting uneasily upon the plinth. Roman ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Inlaid Portico Empire Style Mantle Clock
Located in Hudson, NY
French 19th-century mantle clock features a bronze and inlaid veined wood veneer portico design. The clock is adorned with gilded ornaments, including a decorative pendulum and intri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Jade and Silver Singing Bird Box Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Jade and Silver Singing Bird Box Mantle Clock
This enchanting objet d'art masterfully blends artistic beauty with mechanical ingenuity, featuring a clock, a singing bird box and a delicate sculpture. Carved from solid jade and adorned with sterling silver repoussé, it exemplifies the pinnacle of both horology and decorative arts. The silver-clad young woman holds a bird, crafted from natural hummingbird feathers, perched on a branch. With the press of a button, the bird sings, and the figure gently nods, as though humming along, all in front of a silver birdbath adorned with charming putti. The clock features a striking enamel dial, framed by intricate silver foliate designs and marked by elegant Arabic numerals.
Mechanical singing bird...
Category
20th Century Empire Clocks
Materials
Jade, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Empire Duchess du Berry Clock by Jean-André Reiche
Located in New Orleans, LA
This splendid French Empire ormolu mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of the Duchess du Berry and her children, an intimate scene often referred to as "The Eveni...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Green Wood and Brass Pendulum Clock FHS 151-080 Germany 1950s
Located in Milano, MI
Pendulum clock in hand-painted green wood and brass, Model FHS 151-080 Germany, made in the 1950s
Ø 18 cm Ø 13 cm h 44 cm
FHS Germany is a brand known for producing pendulum clocks...
Category
1950s German Vintage Empire Clocks
Materials
Brass
French Ormolu Table Clock, Bacchant Sitting On Wine Barrel, Paris, Around 1840
Located in Vienna, AT
Fire-gilded bronze table clock: a childlike bacchanal seated on a wine barrel under an arched vine arbour, holding grapes and a wine glass in his hands, on an oval base with an appli...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Elegant 19th Century Bronze Clock Empire
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant 19th century bronze clock.
19th Century French clock in gilded bronze. The machinery works and has its pendulum and key. Difficult ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze And Blue Turquin Marble Clock Set, Raingo Frères, 19th Century.
Located in NICE, FR
Gilt bronze and blue Turquin marble mantelpiece set consisting of a cage clock and two matching candelabra by RAINGO Frères, 19th century.
We present to you this rare gilt bronze an...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Atmos Jaeger le Coultre Mantle Clock 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a very elegant Vintage Atmos perpetual mantle clock by Jaeger-Le Coultre, with a jewelled movement bearing their ref No. 88942 and dating from Circa 1950.
The clock is disp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Empire Clocks
Materials
Brass
French Gilt Empire Claude Galle Clock By Claude Gallé, 19th Century
By Claude Galle
Located in Lisbon, PT
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze clock with rotating dial made for the 1807 Exhibition after a composition by Claude Gallé, regarded as one of the best bronziers of the late Louis XVI ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Clock, Miniature Matelot "Au Bon Sauvage", circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Miniature Empire Bronze Clock - Matelot
Paris
fire-gilded and patinated bronze
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 18 x 14 x 9 cm
Description:
Very rare miniature of the famous Pendule Matelot "Au Bon Sauvage". The depiction deals with an important topic of the time, trade with the colonies.
The rectangular base stands on pressed ball feet. Attached to the front, we see two cornucopias filled with exotic fruits and held by a bow.
A young sailor, dressed in a raffia skirt and feather jewellery...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Superb Quality Bronze Ebonized French Empire Ormulu Mounted Figural Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an absolutely breathtaking bronze figural clock showing a young man, a lizard or gecko, and various motifs including musical instruments and various other designs. The contra...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Marble & Bronze Mantel Clock with Cassolettes
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your mantel with this large Empire clock garniture set. Crafted in Paris, circa 1860, this French antique clock set is a stunning examp...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Ormolu clock : allegory of spring, 19th century circa 1815 - 1820
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
French Empire ormolu mantel clock showing an allegory of spring, early 19th century fine work, Restauration period circa 1815 - 1820 (Restauration period).
Beautiful chiseled model d...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire Ormolu and marble vert mantel clock of Cupid whispering. Wonderful original fire gilded mercury ormolu. The quality of the casting and chasing is superb, from the indiv...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Style Fire Gilded Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire style fire gilded bronze mantel clock.
French fire gilded bronze mantel clock with separate bronze base and po...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Antique early 19th century French red marble and ormolu clock garniture
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu Clock Garniture comprising a pair of campana shaped Urns with satyr mask carrying handles supported on red marble plinths with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Clock in representing a Horse and a Dog in Gilt Bronze, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
Restoration-period bronze clock with brown and gilded patina depicting a horse playing with a small dog.
Beautiful mercury gilding, the alternating patinas give a nice balance to th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Clock in Gilt Bronze, Signed Grandvoinnet
By Grandvoinnet
Located in NICE, FR
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the early 19th century with our exquisite French Empire mantel clock in gilt bronze. It. bears the signature of Grandvoinnet.
Not only does thi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
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 Clocks
Materials
Brass
19th Century Mantel Clock from the French Empire Era
Located in NICE, FR
Large Empire period mantel clock - Restoration dating from the beginning of the 19th century (circa 1800-1810) in chased gilt bronze with exceptional gilding quality.
An antique cha...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Clock Pendulum Empire France
Located in New York, NY
Table pendulum clock made in France during the empire period, 1790-1810. Made from gilt bronze. Depicting a man holding a cornucopia.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
This Empire period clock (circa 1800-1810) is composed of a marble terrace topped by two flat columns decor...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Table Clock Empire France
Located in New York, NY
A table clock made in France during the Empire 1790-1820. Made from blackened wood and burnt-gilt bronze. Godronned urn-formation, lion mascarons, pine cone all Empire attributes
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire 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, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire 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 clocks, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Claude Galle, Breguet a Paris, and C. Maniere. 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 $445 and tops out at $145,000 while the average work can sell for $7,774.