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Ormolu Furniture

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Material: Ormolu
19th Century AD Mougin Parisian Napoleon III Clock & Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent, large, and original, French three piece mantel set from the late 19th century. The Napoleon III Second Empire period, Neoclassical style antique clock having an urn form finial with sculptural gilded bronze mounts, over architectural case made of the most beautiful variegated specimen marble, with various shades of salmon pink and white, black and silver veining, pierced flower blossom ormolu mounted columns flank the hand enameled fancy dial with Provincial figural scene, signed Guinchard & Martin, Castres, glass door with beaded gilt brass bezel, housing the high-quality eight day time and strike movement stamped AD Mougin...
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Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

French Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock Stamped in Bronze H. Picard
Located in London, GB
French Ormolu and porcelain mantel clock of Classical design dating from the mid-19th century stamped in the mint and original Ormolu H. Picard. Numbered in the bronze, 1297. The original ormolu is in quite pristine and totally original condition. The case inset with painted porcelain panels with fruit and floral decoration in the classical style. The clock surmounted by a Bacchanalian mask and two handled vase with grapes, standing on six vase shaped feet on a velvet plinth...
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1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Ormolu & Sevres Porcelain Mounted Dressing Table & Mirror 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique French bois de Violette, ormolu and Sevres porcelain mounted dressing table circa 1860 in date. It has been masterfully crafted from beautiful Bois de V...
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1860s Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

A French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Rosewood plaque
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and most impressive French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Rosewood plaque. The wonderfully decorative Ormolu plaque is set within a richly carved wave like and mo...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Two Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911. The vases a...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in Dallas, TX
This French Marble Mantel from the 20th century is a luxurious addition to any home. Crafted in the elegant Louis XIV style, it features stunning malachite stone in a beautiful emera...
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20th Century French Baroque Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany and Figural Ormolu Sculpture Stand
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany and Figural Ormolu Sculpture Stand with Specimen Ma...
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20th Century Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Mirror Surtout de Table Centrepiece
Located in London, GB
Empire style gilt bronze and mirror surtout de table centrepiece French, 20th Century Height 13.5cm, width 318cm, depth 66.5cm This French-crafted tab...
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20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Quality Kingwood Ormolu Mounted French Vernis Martin Display Cabinet
Located in Suffolk, GB
19th century antique quality kingwood and ormolu mounted French Vernis Martin display cabinet having an attractive shaped top with an impressiv...
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1860s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Memory Pin Brooch Ormolu with Stone, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely stylish sentimental brooch was made to keep a photo of loved ones. Made in Germany, circa 1900. The brooch has a picture inside. It has a blue stone and also has a hangin...
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Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Malachite Neoclassical Style Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Pair of large gilt bronze and malachite neoclassical style candelabra French, 20th century Measures: Height 122cm, diameter 60cm This large...
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20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Large Pair of Sèvres-Style Porcelain Napoleonic Vases with Ormolu Mounts
Located in London, GB
Large pair of Sèvres-style porcelain Napoleonic vases with ormolu mounts French, Late 19th Century Height 96cm, diameter 33cm Standing just below a metre in height, these impressive...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Japy Freres Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Antique French Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent ormolu (finely gilded bronze) and Sèvres style porcelain clock by renown maker Japy Frères. It is of a beautifully chic design, four turned corner columns with a cushio...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This large clock set, which is comprised of a mantel clock and pair of flanking candelabra, is designed in the style of Sèvres Porcelain manufactory goods. In the manner of Sèvres Po...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large Sèvres-style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Porcelain Vase with Pedestal
Located in London, GB
Large Sèvres-style gilt-bronze mounted porcelain vase with pedestal French, Early 20th Century Vase: height 162cm, width 63cm, depth 48cm Stand: height 66cm, width 48cm, depth 48c...
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Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu

Antique Sevres Porcelain Royal Blue Ormolu Table Lamp 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning large antique French Sevres style "Bleu Royale"  porcelain and ormolu mounted vase circa 1870 in date, later converted into a lamp. In Louis XVI style, of baluster form with wolf...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Large Ormolu Mounted Chinese Porcelain Jardinière
Located in London, GB
A large ormolu mounted Chinese porcelain jardinière French and Chinese, Late 19th Century Height 102cm, width 80cm, depth 63cm Combining Ch...
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Late 19th Century French Chinese Export Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Late 19thC Gilt Bronze Mounted Table Lamp
Located in Altrincham, GB
Late 19th century gilt metal mounted table lamp, the burgundy porcelain body of tapering form with applied gilt metal acanthus feet leading to cherub masks - 14" diam x 26"h - The la...
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1890s English High Victorian Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

The Royal Boulle Marquetry Commode By Blake
By Robert Blake
Located in New Orleans, LA
This monumental Boulle commode was crafted by Robert Blake, one of the finest and most important English cabinetmakers of his time. It is modeled after the legendary pair of commodes...
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19th Century English Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Antique French Inlaid Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinets
Located in London, GB
An exceptional pair of antique French walnut marble top bedside cabinets. They were made in France, they date from around the 1870–1890’s. The quality is incredible, they are probab...
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1870s French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19C French Gilt Bronze 18 Branch Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a beautiful 19C French gilt bronze 18 branch chandelier. Made in France circa 1880/90. 18 Branches and 18 bulbs. Rococo Revival (Third Republic) heavily influence...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Cranberry Glass Enamelled Box with Gnome and Girl
Located in Newark, England
ENAMELLED SCENE TO THE LID From our Glassware collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique French Cranberry Glass Box. The box of oval form wi...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Sevres style porcelain Comport, circa 1890.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French Sevres porcelain comport, having wonderful gilded ormolu scrolling foliate mounts, with cherubs seated , the cobalt blue ground porcelain with inset hand p...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair Antique Russian Empire Side Chairs
Located in Rochester, NY
A good pair of antique Russian Empire circassian walnut side chairs in beautifully aged original finish / finely detailed ormolu mounts / gilded paw like front feet / newly construct...
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Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Ormolu & Marble Double Encrier Inkstand Standish 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique French Empire Revival ormolu mounted and patinated Verde Antico marble inkstand, Circa 1870 in date. Of rectangular form with a pair of raised inkwells h...
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1870s English Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Outstanding Antique Porcelain and Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Card/Side Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality Antique Victorian porcelain and ormolu mounted kingwood card/console table by G T Morant, Bond Street, London having a...
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19th Century English Victorian Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Other, Ormolu

Large Baroque Style Austrian Ormolu Mounted Musical Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Baroque style Austrian ormolu mounted musical clock Austrian, early 19th Century Total height: 211cm Clock: Height 135cm, width 86cm, depth 52 Stand: Height 76cm, width 81c...
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Early 19th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Very Large Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
Very large Louis XV style gilt bronze mantel clock by Beurdeley French, circa 1880 Measures: Height 102cm, width 48cm, depth 29cm This very large mantel clock...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Royal Vienna Painted Porcelain Urn and Cover
Located in New York, NY
Highly important pair of royal Vienna painted porcelain urn and cover Painted with two large allegorical scenes. Cobalt blue ground with gold raised decoration and two handles. Sign...
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19th Century Austrian Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Onyx, Marble, Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
This colorful pedestal clock has been crafted from fine red marble and green onyx, and beautifully decorated with gilt bronze (ormolu) and champlevé enamel. While a popular crafts material in ancient times, onyx was largely forgotten about until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century in Algeria by a French marble-worker called Delmonte. Onyx became highly fashionable in France following this discovery, and it was used to create a variety of decorative art objects. The clock features a green onyx cube-shaped case, which is surmounted by a slightly projecting red marble top. This top is fringed with champlevé enamel drapery-like motifs, with gilt bronze drop-finials. The case is mounted on its front with a circular dial, which features a central floral champlevé enamel motif, encircled by black Arabic Numerals. This dial is set within a gilt bronze egg-and-dart and champlevé enamel bezel. The sides of the case are mounted with circular gilt bronze barometers...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

A Magnificent Rococo Style Commode After Johann Melchoir Kambli
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Magnificent Rococo Style Gilt-Bronze, Bois Satiné and Mahogany Commode. By Rosel, Brussels, After The Celebrated Model By Johann Melchoir Kambli. Of curvaceous bombé form surmoun...
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19th Century Belgian Rococo Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Caviar Server Centerpiece
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XV style gilt bronze figural caviar server centerpiece, Paris, late 19th century, the base stamped "B" several times. 19" H x 23" W x 17" D. Provenance: From a New York City Co...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870 A rare and unusual Napoleon III patinated bronze and ormolu crown from France, circa 1870. This distinctive work fea...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Gilt Bronze and Malachite Casket by Monbro Fils Ainé
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt bronze and malachite casket by Monbro Fils Ainé French, mid 19th Century Measures: Height 68cm, width 92cm, depth 52cm This marriag...
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Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany And Ormolu Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany and Ormolu buffet. The buffet is raised on lovely circular tapered fluted legs with fine mottled Ormolu sab...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu Mother of Pearl Egg Shaped Enamel Perfume Bottles in Box
Located in Delft, NL
French 19th century Ormolu mother of pearl egg shaped perfume box on foot A beautiful egg shaped perfume bottle box, with interior of 2 perfume bottles wh...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair French 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Urn Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style patinated-bronze and gilt-bronze Mounted Allegorical covered Urn vases lamps in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomir...
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Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal chandelier.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An absolutely stunning and monumentally scaled French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal chandelier. This grand scaled thirty-five arm thirty-nine light chandelier...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Antique French Parquetry Ormolu Mounted Vitrine Cabinet 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique French Louis Revival parquetry and ormolu mounted breakront vitrine, circa 1860 in date. This beautiful cabinet has exquisite parquetry and crossbanded ...
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1860s French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Neoclassical Ormolu Amphora/Urn with Bacchanalia Motif by F. Barbedienne
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze ormolu amphora/urn with Bacchanalia decoration and marble base by Ferdinand Barbedienne, France By: Ferdinand Barbedienne Material: bronze...
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Late 19th Century Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Ormolu, Tin

Antique French F. Barbedienne Ormolu Bronze and Crystal Centerpiece
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine antique French Empire cut crystal round shaped centerpiece bowl with a wavy edge. Mounted in a footed hand chiseled ormolu mount decora...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Fine French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Porcelain Side Table Pair
By Martin Carlin, François Linke
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality pair of vintage French Louis XV style kingwood floral marquetry bronze doré and porcelain mounted tables. Francois Linke (1855-1946) taste, in the manner of famous Par...
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20th Century French Louis XV Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Figural Six Branch Candelabra, late 19th century, each with a seated cherub supporting foliate branches, on a acanthus scrolled base and octagonal ...
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Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The combination of sumptuous, lustrous ormolu and finely decorated Sevres style porcelain makes this mantel clock an exceptional piece. Built in France and retailed by the prestigiou...
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Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire Chest
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassical (Early 19th Century) ormolu, & white marble mounted ebonized & mahogany secrétaire commode with top drawer desk and upper section.
Category

19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique Italian Kingwood, Satinwood & Burl Chest with Ormolu Mounts Late 18th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Italian side chest offers kingwood construction with satinwood inlay having shaped top over serpentine case with two crossbanded drawers, raised on cabriole legs; cast orm...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Exceptional Louis XV 19th Century Ormolu Mounted Secretaire By Befort Jeune
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 42 3/4 in Width: 29 3/4 in Depth: 16 1/2 in This exceptional Befort Jeune Louis XV style 19th century marble top mahogany sceretaire desk with bronze mounts is ...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood Vitrine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style ormolu-mounted tulipwood vitrine with marble top, in the manner of François Linke (1855-1946). The slender single door cabinet fitted w...
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Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Cloisonne Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful cloisonne enamel clock set is an artful piece of design in the neoclassical style: each piece is elaborately applied with turquoi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

19th C. French 'Ave Maria' Bénitier / Holy Water Font, Devotional Reliquary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C. French 'Ave Maria' Bénitier / Holy Water Font, Devotional Reliquary  France, circa 1890s, artist signed 'Ale'  A stunning late 19th-century French Bénitier/Holy Water Font D...
Category

Late 18th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Parisian Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Bed by Au Gros Chêne
Located in London, GB
Antique Parisian Marquetry and gilt bronze bed by Au Gros Chêne French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 127cm, width 167cm, depth 212cm This elegant bed is designed in the ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century Egyptian Revival Green Onyx and Bronze Garniture Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Egyptian Revival green onyx and bronze garniture mantle clock with two obelisks, with the clock mounted and flanked by ormolu sphinxes and all parts of the set featuring...
Category

19th Century European Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu

Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This sophisticated gilt bronze mantel clock is an elegant piece of mid-19th century design, beautifully cast and gilded and set with two delicate Sèvres style porcelain panels. The clock case's finest feature is the charmingly naturalistic scene at its top, showing a full-length sculpture of a female figure sitting with a basket and two doves. They are displayed on a naturalistic, oval-shaped plinth, which is decorated all around its exterior with painstakingly intricate foliate motifs. Either side of the plinth there are two Sevres style porcelain panels, each of which shows a winged putto. One putto is shown writing, while the other is shown holding a dove. Each is set inside a turquoise blue border decorated with delicate gilt scrolls. In the centre of the plinth sits the clock dial, which is enamelled and contains Roman numerals. It is signed 'Prize Medal 1851 / Miroy Fres Brevetes / Paris' after the clock's maker, Miroy Freres...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 18th Century Coromandel and Ormolu Grandfather Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent large scale French 18th century Coromandel and ormolu Grandfather Clock, by André Furet. This very unique and high quality clock is raised by rectangular base with a li...
Category

18th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Exceptional 19th Century Centre Table Attributed to Holland & Sons
Located in London, by appointment only
• One of the finest pieces of 19th century English furniture ever made • Firmly attributed to the Royal cabinetmaker, Holland & Sons • Made using stunning rare & exotic timbers, Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite fireplace French, 20th century Measures: Height 124cm, width 218cm, depth 58cm Crafted from the timeless combination of malachite ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cherubs & Rooster Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze and white marble figural mantel clock. The finely chased ormolu body, with its original two-tone mercury gilt, centered with a circular enameled porcelain clock face with Roman and Arabic numeral dials and inscribed 'A. Thomas - Fabt de Bronze - 56, Rue de Turenne - Paris', surmounted with a pair of playful seated cherubs amidst clouds and wreaths, the case crowned with a figure of a Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Classical 19th Century French Majolica porcelain and ormolu urn.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French cobalt and turquoise blue majolica porcelain urn, with wonderful gilded ormolu mouldings and mounts of putti holding garlands of flowers, amon...
Category

Late 19th Century French Classical Greek Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Side Tables
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style malachite and gilt bronze side tables French, 20th century Dimensions: Height 85cm, diameter 50cm These striking octagonal guéridons are crafte...
Category

20th Century French Empire Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Antique Ormolu Clocks, Lamps and Other Furniture and Decorative Objects for Sale

Antique ormolu furniture and decorative objects can be incorporated into a variety of spaces, and while demand for the material and/or technique was at its peak in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, ormolu is still widely loved by designers and collectors today.

What is ormolu?

Ormolu is a brilliant form of decorative trickery. To the untrained eye, ormolu clocks, jewelry boxes and other ormolu furniture and decor look like they're made of solid gold. But those in the know recognize ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — as having been essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

“Most commonly, ormolu refers to a bronze object that has been covered with gold, typically 18 karat or 24 karat,” explains Jamie Sinai, director of the antiques specialist Mayfair Gallery, in London. “For that reason, ormolu is sometimes called gilt bronze or, in French, bronze doré. Strictly speaking, however, the term ormolu also denotes the technique of applying gold to a metal.”

“The word comes from the French or moulu, which translates as ‘ground or powdered gold’ — the form the gold takes before it is applied to a metal surface.”

From the court of King Louis XVI to that of Napoleon I, the French elite snapped up furniture mounted with ormolu, as well as sconces, candelabra and table lamps made from the material. “As the French reputation for supreme art, architecture and furniture developed, the craze for ormolu spread across Europe,” adds Sinai.

Today, antiques collectors and interior designers continue to prize ormolu for its extraordinary craftsmanship and history-infused glamour. 

“This wondrous material was highly sought after in France as the ultimate luxury. It magically resembled solid gold and sparkled under candlelight,” says Sinai.

Find antique ormolu furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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