Skip to main content

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.

to
32
262
8
249
5
4
2
456
383
369
287
262
261
213
182
171
128
99
70
51
32
31
21
20
11
243
188
74
71
58
140
78
253
230
7
4
4
Height
to
Width
to
262
262
262
3
2
2
2
2
Style: Empire
Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Important pendulum in gilded bronze and onyx from the nineteenth century. The enamel dial. Made for the russian market. Large: 60 x 55 x 18 cm.. With pendulum and key 6550 euros.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century
Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century

Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century

$7,861
French Empire Mahogany and Cut Crystal Columned Portico Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare example of a late French Empire portico clock combining the use of mahogany casing with gilt bronze mounts and cut crystal. The four pillars linking the top and bottom section...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Empire Mahogany and Cut Crystal Columned Portico Clock
French Empire Mahogany and Cut Crystal Columned Portico Clock

French Empire Mahogany and Cut Crystal Columned Portico Clock

$7,500
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

French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid

French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid

$17,950
French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene
Located in London, GB
A very unusual French Empire Genre Arcadian mantel clock of a hunting scene. The primary subject is that of a finely dressed woman in riding habit, hat, whip and gloves riding side saddle on a fine patinated bronze hunter...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene
French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene

French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene

$9,822
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Located in London, GB
A fine model of Chronos carrying off time. The superbly modelled and cast figure of Chronos with scythe in one hand and carrying the clock under his arm. Set on a fine marble base wi...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time

Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time

$7,112
Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock in the form of a vase, Empire Era, 1800-1815. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and pendulum.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800
Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800

Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800

$2,064 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas
Located in London, GB
French Empire miniature ormolu clock of Cupid signed by Ledure and Thomas. A small French Empire clock only 10 inches (25 cms high) but of outstanding quality. A figure of Cupid stan...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas
French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas

French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas

$5,080
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

Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set

Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set

$40,642 / set
French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, white Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock. This beautiful clock is supported on a circular white Carrara marble...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock
French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock

French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock

$29,800
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock

French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock

$9,415
19th Century Empire Pendulum from "French National Furniture" Called "The study"
Located in Marseille, FR
Pendulum of national furniture called "The study" of Empire period double patina and gilded bronze with scientific attributes of astronomy, on the base we find cupid, Minerev and his...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Pendulum from "French National Furniture" Called "The study"
19th Century Empire Pendulum from "French National Furniture" Called "The study"

19th Century Empire Pendulum from "French National Furniture" Called "The study"

$6,856
Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Empire clock in bronze with two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th century Weight: 11.00 kg Sizes: H 51cm x L 39cm France very good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen
Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen

Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen

$8,157
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot
By Marie Prevost
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional gilt bronze mantel clock with its key depicting a winged Cupid in a chariot. The chariot is pulled by two doves that are resting on a platform adorned with water-leaf. Th...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot

Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot

$13,476
Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock
By Normant
Located in Paris, FR
Vase-shaped mantel clock in gilded porcelain. Breguet hands track the hours and minutes on white, enamel dial with hours marked in Roman numerals. The porcelain is interspaced with g...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Porcelain

Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock
Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock

Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock

$7,920
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 19th century French gilt-bronze and white marble figural lyre clock. The case mounted with floral swags, with a figure of Cupid to the top and two cherubs to the sides, on fluted r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture

Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture

$18,990
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 Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century
French Empire Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century

French Empire Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century

$7,857 / set
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent condition with finely chased dore bronze mounts. Has key and pendulum.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock

19th Century Empire Mantel Clock

$13,950
19th Century French Rooster Clock
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French gilt bronze rooster clock with brass eight-day spring driven movement. Newly cleaned and operational.
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Rooster Clock
19th Century French Rooster Clock

19th Century French Rooster Clock

$5,500
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

French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez

French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez

$10,160
Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris
By Thiéry Paris 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock by Thiéry, Paris. Thiery Paris, late 18th century. The drumcase con...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Bronze

Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris
Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris

Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris

$12,500
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze period Empire mantle clock. France, circa 1805. Period Empire clock featuring an stylized Hercules with Lion's pelt. Origin...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock

Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock

$7,800
Empire Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful patinated bronze clock featuring Cupid and Psyche with a Sienna marble base
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire Patinated Bronze Clock
Empire Patinated Bronze Clock

Empire Patinated Bronze Clock

$28,600

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.

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

Imperial Clocks
Mantel Clock Dome
Marti Bronze Mantel Clock
Marble Lyre Clocks
Louis Picard
Mahogany Tall Case Clock
Horse Bells Antique
Mantle Clock Carved
Marble Clock Urn Garniture
Lady With Cherubs
Mercury Pendulum
Dolphin Clock
Expensive Clocks
French Chariot Clocks
Georgian Longcase Clocks
Grandfather Wall Clock
Horizontal Clock
Pocket Watch Holder
View All Popular Clocks Searches