Empire Wall 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
EARLY 19th CENTURY GOLDEN WALL CLOCK WITH MUSIC BOX
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid wall clock set in an elegant opening wooden case, with carved frame and golden tablet. The internal finishes of the clock are also in golden tablet and brass. The decoration...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century French Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon I
Located in London, GB
A Musical Automaton Clock
Depicting Napoleon at Fontainebleau
Based on the original work of Horace Vernet "Goodbyes at Fontainebleau," the pai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass
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 a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840.
Fine quality swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Large Wall Clock With Winged Griffins In Gilded Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in RUEIL-MALMAISON, FR
Large Wall Clock With Winged Griffins In Gilded Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Spectacular 19th century wall clock combining ornamental richness and horological precision.
The finely ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
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 Wall Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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 Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
$10,769 Sale Price
51% Off
Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19 Century Italian Clock Landscape Painting
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early/mid-19th century Italian clock painting indistinctly signed on the lower right corner. The oil painting is set in a period Empire gilt frame and d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Canvas
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19th-Century Pendulum Wall Clock
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Located in Potters Bar, GB
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19th Century Musical Picture Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
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Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
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H 18.5 in W 11.1 in D 5 in
19th Century Swedish Gilded Wall Clock with Dolphins, Signed Ericsson Stockholm
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
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19th Century Swedish Fryksdahl Painted Wood Floor Clock with Carved Crest
Located in Atlanta, GA
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H 87 in W 22 in D 11 in
19th Century Swedish Mora Case Clock
Located in Huntington, NY
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Antique Wall Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Chorzów, PL
The clock is functional, after the clockmaster review
Year: The end of the 19th century
Origin: Western Europe
Dimensions: Height 133 cm / width 42 cm / depth 17 cm.
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Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Wall Clocks
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Gilt Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
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Previously Available Items
19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840.
Fine quality Swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Gilt and Églomisé Ornate Wall Clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840.
Fine quality swedish wall clock of the Empire period circa 1840. Beautifully...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Empire Clock Gold T Kluge Stockholm with Sphinxes on Each Side
Located in DE
A beautiful 19th century Empire clock gilded with sphinxes sitting on each side. Signed with T Kluge Stockholm at the back.
Black and white...
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19th Century European Antique Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Wood
H 31.11 in W 21.66 in D 4.34 in
French Empire Tole and Parcel-Gilt Wall Clock, circa 1810-1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of circular form and made to resemble a pocket watch, with gilt decoration on a tole body, the works having been serviced and in fine condition.
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1810s French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
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Metal
Vienna Laterndluhr Regulator Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare Vienna regulator clock, or Laterndluhr, beautifully demonstrates the precision and superiority of Viennese craftsmanship. The elegant ...
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19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Wall Clocks
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Enamel
French Empire Tole Wall Clock, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A decorative French Empire period wall clock in tole with brass details and porcelain face, circa 1810.
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Unusual Swedish Early 19th Century Empire Wall Cartel Clock by Cederlund
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual Swedish Empire giltwood striking wall clock from the early 19th century. The white painted Arabic dial signed by the clockmaker ‘Jon. Ce...
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H 34.65 in W 19.1 in D 3.15 in
Late 19th Century Swedish Gilt Wall Clock by Rob Engstrom, Stockholm
By Robert Engstrom
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality Swedish wall clock in the empire taste, circa 1895.
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Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Wall Clocks
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19th Century Swedish Gilt and Eglomise Ornate Wall Clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality Swedish wall clock in the empire taste, circa 1840.
Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. Two silhouette eglomise glass panels ( 1 of which has a break.)
Craquelu...
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German Mahogany Eglomise Banjo Clock. Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
German mahogany eglomise banjo clock with brass eagle finial, signed paper numerical dial, tapered throat, and terminating on a rectangular plinth with gad...
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1880s German Antique Empire Wall Clocks
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Glass, Mahogany
American Mahogany and Églomisé Banjo Clock, New Haven, CT, Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany banjo clock with a perched eagle finial, steel engraved dial under glass, centered decorative gilt reversed painted glass, lower hinged door with a reverse painting...
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1880s American Antique Empire Wall Clocks
French Empire Tole Wall Clock
Located in Doylestown, PA
A nice French Empire tole wall clock in red painted finish and gilt decoration, circa 1810, with original working clock.
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19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Clocks
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Tôle
Empire wall clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire wall clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall 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 metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire wall clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 wall clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $44,751 while the average work can sell for $10,752.
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