Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

RENAISSANCE STYLE

Spanning an era of cultural rebirth in Europe that harkened back to antiquity, the Renaissance was a time of change in design. From the late 1400s to the early 1600s, Rome, Venice and Florence emerged as artistic centers through the expansion of global trade and a humanist belief in the arts being central to society. Antique Renaissance furniture was ornately carved from sturdy woods like walnut, its details standing out against the tapestries and stained glass adorning the walls.

Renaissance chests, which were frequently commissioned for marriages, were often decorated with gilding or painted elements. Those that were known as cassoni were crafted in shapes based on classical sarcophagi. As opposed to the medieval era, when furniture was pared down to the necessities, a wide range of Renaissance chairs, tables and cabinets were created for the home, and the designs regularly referenced ancient Rome.

Large torchères of the Renaissance era that were used as floor lamps were inspired by classical candelabras, while marble surfaces evoked frescoes. The inlaid boxes being imported from the Middle East informed the intarsia technique, which involved varying hues of wood in mosaic-like patterns, such as those by architect Giuliano da Maiano in the Florence Cathedral.

Tapestry-woven cushion covers accented the variety of Renaissance seating — from conversation to study chairs — while bookcases for secular use reflected the migration of culture and knowledge from the church into the home. The aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance later spread to France through the publishing of work by renowned designers, including Hugues Sambin and Jacques Androuet du Cerceau. Centuries later, the 19th-century Renaissance Revival would see a return to this influential style.

Find a collection of antique Renaissance case pieces, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Style: Renaissance

Buschman “Minerva” German Horizontal Table Clock

$34,500

Buschman “Minerva” German Horizontal Table Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

The extraordinary beauty and superior craftsmanship of 17th century German clockmaking is on full display in this exceptionally rare horizontal tabletop timepiece dating to 1650 Augsburg. Created by Johannes Buschman the Younger, the eminent Buschman family of clockmakers are lauded for designing some of the finest timepieces to ever be created in the South German town of Augsburg during the late Renaissance and early Modern periods. A finely moulded ebony and turtleshell casing veneered in a mottled red hue holds the clock’s fusée and chain movement with verge escapement and balance with hogs-bristle regulation. A silver figure of Minerva, Roman goddess of war and wisdom, centers the Roman numeral-engraved chapter ring, indicating the time by pointing to the hour with an authoritative military staff as the sun rotates below her feet to indicate the minute. The incredible design is finished by a gilded backplate intricately pierced and engraved with a floral motif and the signature of Johannes Buschman. Clocks are one of the greatest and most important inventions of the Renaissance period, improving steadily into the Age of Discovery. Embodying a renewed interest in science, the arts and humanism, the first mechanical timepieces began appearing in the 14th century and were large, weight-driven devices placed in the turrets of public buildings that struck the hour and lacked hands and faces. This clock was created during the first period of household clocks, when spring-driven movements made it possible to create smaller and more complex mechanisms. Such creations, however, were a luxury accessible only to the wealthy upper classes. Affluent patrons placed pressure upon artisans to create more elaborate and ornate clocks...

Category

17th Century German Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Silver

French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronzre, Marble, and Ormolu Garniture Set

$15,800

French 19th Century Renaissance St. Bronzre, Marble, and Ormolu Garniture Set

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A striking and very high quality French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Griotte marble, patinated bronze, and ormolu garniture clock set. The clock at the center is raised by hand...

Category

19th Century French Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Vintage German Wall Clock in Brass

$436

H 9.65 in Dm 7.29 in

Vintage German Wall Clock in Brass

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A pocket watch shaped quartz (batteri-operated) wall clock featuring solid brass frame, Roman numerals and a sunburst dial in silver enamel. Manufacture...

Category

1970s German Vintage Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

German Meissen Porcelain Clock

$7,500

H 16 in W 10 in D 7 in

German Meissen Porcelain Clock

Located in Queens, NY

German Meissen (19th Century) porcelain group of men and women with floral and bronze branches around mantel clock (not working)

Category

19th Century German Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

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 Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Important German Neoclassical Table Clock by David Roentgen

$106,554

H 17.01 in W 10.63 in D 6.11 in

Important German Neoclassical Table Clock by David Roentgen

By David Roentgen

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

An important and rare table clock from the workshop of David Roentgen. The case with an oval stepped plinth top with gilt bronze handle, decoration of the case with ormolu mille raie banding, beaded edges and brass fluted columns to the front flanking the square brass dial, foliate engraved spandrels to the corners, centred by the white enamel Arabic chapter ring, signed Delolme, pierced brass hands, convex glazed bezel, square plated eight-day movement with four back-pinned pillars, verge escapement, silk suspension, rack and count wheel strike, striking the hours and quarters on two bells above, the back plate also signed, glazed side panels. There is only a small series of comparable table clocks from the workshop of David Roentgen known. The present clock seems to be the first example of the cooperation between David Roentgen and the court clockmaker Delolme in Brunswick. The case is meticulously crafted and both case and movement are of superb quality. David Roentgen, called the "most celebrated ébéniste in Europe" by his contemporaries, was a successful entrepreneur who transformed the business founded by his father, Abraham Roentgen...

Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Rare original round 1960s brass table clock by Schatz Germany

$706

H 6.11 in W 5.12 in D 2.56 in

Rare original round 1960s brass table clock by Schatz Germany

By Schatz

Located in München, DE

Beautiful, rare, round, original 1960s battery-operated brass table clock by Schatz. The original clockwork is still installed. Runs quietly and accurately. Great minimalist 1960s de...

Category

1960s German Vintage Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Kienzle GMT World Time Zone Brass Table Clock, Midcentury, Germany, 1960s

$790

H 6 in W 5.5 in D 2 in

Kienzle GMT World Time Zone Brass Table Clock, Midcentury, Germany, 1960s

By Wilhelm Kienzle, Kienzle Clocks

Located in Vienna, AT

A beautiful and decorative Mid-Century Modernist solid brass Kienzle desk or table clock with a world map clocks face and world time zones. Executed in the 1960s by Kienzle in Wester...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Vintage German Kienzle Clock, circa 1960's

$945

H 11.42 in W 10.24 in D 2.76 in

Vintage German Kienzle Clock, circa 1960's

By Kienzle Clocks

Located in Vilnius, LT

Vintage German Kienzle automatic table clock designed by Heinrich Möller in 1960s. The clock is made of brass structure, glass front. It is battery-operated and spring winding by an...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Antique Black Forest Cuckoo Clock German Wall Clocks

$1,380

H 26 in W 21 in D 12 in

Antique Black Forest Cuckoo Clock German Wall Clocks

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Collectable Black Forest hand carved cuckoo clock Might need some renovation but structurally in great shape Some of our items are in storage so please check ahead of a viewing to se...

Category

1980s Vintage Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

Kienzle GMT World Clock Brass Table or Desk Clock, Art Deco Vibe, 1960s, Germany

On Hold|~~$574~~

H 7.68 in W 7.09 in D 2.56 in

Kienzle GMT World Clock Brass Table or Desk Clock, Art Deco Vibe, 1960s, Germany

By Wilhelm Kienzle, Kienzle Clocks

Located in Andernach, DE

A world time clock by the famous German watch- and clock maker Kienzle. This table or desk clock has a slick, ''timeless'' approach, a masterpiece of mid-century design really. Attributed to the master of mid-century design Heinrich Müller, who did most designs for Kienzle clocks. Made in the 60s, this table clock comes in an a brushed gold matte shimmering finish. The clock stands slanted and the glass is domed. Chrono quartz...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s

$431

H 19.3 in W 10.24 in D 1.97 in

Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s

Located in Wien, AT

Wall clock " Atlanta " germany, around 1960s Original condition of the case Battery operated, not mechanical.

Category

1960s German Vintage Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Modernist Table / Desk Clock by Junghans, Germany, 1970s

$448

H 7.09 in W 13 in D 2.76 in

Modernist Table / Desk Clock by Junghans, Germany, 1970s

By Junghans Uhren GmbH

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Simple and elegant design with brass detailing. Designed and manufactured by Junghans during the 1970s. The Quartz movement is operated by a single AA battery. The cabinet/body is ma...

Category

1970s German Vintage Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Concrete, Brass

German Ceramic Wall Clock by Garant

$590

H 8.27 in W 10.63 in D 1.97 in

German Ceramic Wall Clock by Garant

Located in Vienna, AT

Ceramic clock with a mechanic movement with floating anchor made my Garant (later Hugo Hättich) in Germany in the early 1950s. Delivery time about 2-3 weeks. The movement will be ...

Category

1950s German Vintage Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Ceramic, Glass

Previously Available Items

German Renaissance Turret Clock

Sold

H 11.63 in W 5.38 in D 5.38 in

German Renaissance Turret Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

This immensely rare Renaissance turret-form clock, or the table clock, was considered both a scientific marvel and an item of luxury during the period. This incredible piece is encased in fire gilt brass crafted to resemble the giant striking clocks set within the turrets of buildings in the center of town. The mechanism strikes on the hour and quarter hour with an alarm feature. The movement is a gut/fuseé for going and striking train, a barrel for the alarm, a verge escapement and a foliot with a hog's bristle regulator complete with one hammer and one bell. Clocks are one of the greatest and most important inventions of the Renaissance period, embodying the renewed interest in science, the arts and man's place in the world. The first mechanical devices that indicated time began appearing in the 14th century and were large, weight-driven devices placed in the turrets of public buildings that struck the hour and lacked hands and faces. This clock was created during the first period of household clocks when spring-driven movements made it possible to create smaller and more complex mechanisms. Such creations, however, were a luxury accessible only to the upper class. These patrons placed pressure upon artisans to create more elaborate and more beautiful clocks, of which this particular timepiece can be counted. Renaissance clocks are an incredible rarity on the market, with most of the few known examples in the coveted collections of major museums throughout the world. Turret clocks...

Category

17th Century German Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

German Hexagonal Table Clock

Sold

H 4.75 in W 7.75 in D 6.75 in

German Hexagonal Table Clock

By Elias Weckherlin

Located in New Orleans, LA

Exceptional beauty and innovation are on display in this rare German Renaissance table clock. Undeniably, some of the finest clocks of the 17th century were produced in the South Ger...

Category

17th Century German Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Copper

German Horizontal Table Clock

Sold

H 4.5 in W 6.75 in D 6.75 in

German Horizontal Table Clock

By F.S. Rosenlehner

Located in New Orleans, LA

An incredibly rare 19th century horizontal table mystery clock with single hand by German clockmaker F.S. Rosenlehner of Munich. This fascinating antique timepiece...

Category

19th Century German Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Glass

16th Century Renaissance Turret Clock

Sold

H 6.25 in W 3.13 in D 3.13 in

16th Century Renaissance Turret Clock

Located in New Orleans, LA

This immensely rare Renaissance turret clock or table clock, was considered both a scientific marvel and an item of luxury during the period. This incredi...

Category

16th Century German Antique Renaissance Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Renaissance table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Renaissance table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Renaissance table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original table clocks and desk clocks, popular names associated with this style include and Franklin MInt. 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 table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,010 and tops out at $34,500 while the average work can sell for $15,800.