Ormolu Clocks
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806
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25
552
241
809
809
809
231
71
68
54
33
19
7
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2
1
1
64
723
19
3
16
1
5
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5,822
4,109
1,684
1,603
1,077
798
752
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29
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Material: Ormolu
Gilt-Bronze Clock with Enamel Numerals Attributed to Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze clock with enamel numerals attributed to Henri Picard
French, circa 1860
Measures: Height 73cm, width 45cm, depth 23cm
The elaborate case of this beautiful mantel clock has a large central circular dial with enamel Roman numerals for the hours and engraved on the edge with Arabic numbers for the minutes. The surmount is a gilt bronze group of Father Time, depicted as an elderly male figure seated on a circular globe. The quality throughout is exceptional, demonstrating the very best of 19th century craftsmanship.
This clock is after a design by André-Charles Boulle (French, 1642-1732) and similar to examples of equally fine quality and casting known to have been made by 19th Century bronzier Henri Picard (French, fl. 1831-1864), therefore we can attribute the case to Picard. The movement is stamped for Parisian clock...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Raingo Frères Ormolu Bronze Cartel Wall Clock with Cherub
Located in Madrid, ES
Exhibiting the fine design and craftsmanship of French clockmakers Raingo Frères (Raingo Brothers), this impressively large clock, measuring over 1 meter tall ( 3 feet +), is an example of the “Second Rococo” period beginning circa 1830, when the highly ornate "Cartel" style of the early 18th century came back into fashion. The clock is crowned at top center by the figure of a putto or cherub, holding in one hand a dove and the other a garland of flowers. This allegorical figure can represent innocence or purity, and was a popular subject for sculptors of the 19th century. The term "Cartel clock" comes from the French "Pendule à Cartel" meaning roughly "clock in a frame for the wall" - the word "Cartel" meaning in this context "decorative frame". These clocks were almost always made from gilt bronze (also known as "ormolu") and highly decorated.
The clock is complete and includes a winding key, and will be checked by our specialist clockmaker to ensure it is functioning properly before shipping.
Established in the early 1800s, Raingo Frères was one of the leading makers of precision clocks...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Brass, Enamel, Ormolu
Large 19th Century Sevres Style Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Figural Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent French mantel clock in patinated bronze and original ormolu. Modeled with figures of two classically dressed females sitting back to back against the clock drum and rea...
Category
19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
By Popon A Paris
Located in London, GB
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 68cm, width 63cm, depth 26cm
Candelabra: Height 89cm, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu, Tôle
Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Cartel Clock, by Beurdeley
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Louis XVI style gilt-bronze Cartel clock, by Beurdeley.
Signed 'A Beurdeley Fils à Paris'.
Surmounted by a ribbon tied globe the gilt-bronze case of this fine cartel cl...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu mantel clock standing on a stepped base and resting on turned, chased feet with acanthus leaf decoration below a finely chased...
Category
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Circular Movement Mantel Clock by Leroy & Cie
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style circular movement mantel clock by Leroy & Cie
French, circa 1880
Measures: Height 72cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm
This superb mantel clock, crafted from white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze—takes the shape of an Amphora vase form case above a cylindrical stem and a circular foot, the stem and foot ornamented with classicising gilt bronze mounts. The foot of the vase sits on an architecturally formed plinth, which is decorated with inset gilt bronze relief panels...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Petite Sonnerie Ormolu Carriage Clock by Grohé with Calendar
Located in London, GB
A Petit Sonnerie carriage clock by Grohe of Paris
The gilt bronze case comprehensively engraved, and having a retractable carrying handle; the lever movement driving the petit son...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
Ormolu, White Marble and Tole Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock by Lepaute
By Francois Vion, Lepaute
Located in London, GB
This exceptional mantel clock was created in the early 20th century in France, inspired by an 18th century model by the famous metalworker, François Vion (French, 1737-1790). The clock’s design includes sculptures of the Three Graces holding up a spherical clock with a revolving, or ‘cercle tournant...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Tôle
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Aurora in Her Chariot Pulled by Her Winged
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire Ormolu mantel clock of a chariot drawn by two winged horses carrying the chariot with a female figure. Thi...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock height 52cm, width 39cm, depth 15cm
Vases height 38cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm
This be...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain clock garniture
French, 19th century
Measures: Clock height 46cm, width 29cm, depth 24c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Rare Monumental Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Jules Graux of Paris
Located in London, GB
An Exhibition Quality Garniture de Cheminée
By Jules Graux of Paris
Of important size and supreme quality, the mantle clock constructed from white Carr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Brass
French Chinoiserie/Japanism Dore Bronze and Hand Painted Porcelain Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and quite rare 19th century French chinoiserie/Japanism dore bronze mounted and hand painted porcelain aesthetic movement clock, attributed to E. Lièvre, most probably...
Category
1870s French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI, Ormolu and Sevres Style Mantle Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantle clock, having reclining putti holding garlands of flowers either side a vase of flowers, two serves style porcelain p...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a pair of five branch scrolling foliate candelabra either side. The white enameled clock face with ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm
Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Ormolu Bronze Sèvres Porcelain Mantle Clock Vincenti et Cie, Paris
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A fine early to mid-19th century French Ormolu and Porcelain Mounted mantel (fireplace) Clock of outstanding Quality and impressive proportions. Eight-day duration movement, striking...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Parquetry Standing Clock by Kahn in the Régence Style
By E. Kahn
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and parquetry standing clock by Kahn in the Régence style
French, early 20th century
Measures: Height 262cm, width 62cm, depth 17cm
This beaut...
Category
Early 20th Century French Régence Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large 19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Clock Set, by Deniere, Paris
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive 19th century gilded ormolu and bronze Louis XVI style clock garniture, having a reclined classical lady reading, next to a white enamel clock face with an eigh...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Ormolu and Marble Clock Garniture
Located in New York, NY
Fine and important French ormolu and marble cherubs clock garniture
Comprising a clock and a pair of five-light candelabra.
Origin: Fr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu Mantel Clock pendulum France, Mid-Late 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A French ormolu mantel clock
French, mid-late 19th century
Measres: Height 37 cm, width 39 cm, depth 13.5 cm.
A late 19th century French gilt-bronze (ormolu) and marble mantel clock ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Napoleon III Lyre Clock with Ormolu Hands
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A superb Napoleon III Lyre clock by 'Raingo Press, Paris' with an exquistely painted enamel face and finely cast ormolu hands in the shape of lyre. The move...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Burr Walnut and Ormolu Desk Set Signed Appay a Paris
Located in London, GB
Burr walnut and ormolu desk set signed Appay a Paris. A very smart Parisian turn of the 19th century desk set comprising a pair of inkwells with a pin drawer and an 8 day clock above...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Lapis, enamel, and gilt bronze clock garniture
Located in London, GB
Inspired by the art and culture of Classical Greece, this three-piece garniture contains a mantel clock and two candelabra. The rectangular body of the clock is of lapis lazuli and is surmounted by a Grecian vase...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock set, which comprises of a mantel clock and a pair of vases, was designed in France in circa 1870 in a wonderful Renaissance Revival style. The set has been craft...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris
Located in London, GB
Superb quality French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock in a beautifully restrained case. The casting and gilding of the finest quality. A classically dressed maiden st...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This neoclassical style French mantel clock is crafted from patinated and gilt bronze in addition to flecked black and grey marble. The clock body is formed from a lopsidedly mounted...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
'Three Graces, ' Three-Piece Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This garniture comprises three pieces: a mantel clock and two flanking candelabra, the entire ensemble designed and ornamented in an ornate neoclassical style. The garniture is compo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
Ormolu and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mounted Clock Set in the Louis XVI Manner
Located in London, GB
A clock garniture in the Louis XVI Manner
By Le Roy et Fils
The ormolu clock case and accompanying candelabra dressed with blue 'Sevres' style hand ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in the Louis XV Rococo Style
Located in London, GB
An Elegant Mantle Clock
In the Louis XV Manner
The clock and its plinth executed in gilt bronze in a dynamic rococo style, rising from scrolling foliage, the dial in the shape of a ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This ormolu (gilt bronze) mantel clock is a stunning piece of design, which features beautiful neoclassical style low-relief decorations and three-dimensional sculptures.
The clock takes the form of a tall rectangular case with a circular white enamel dial near its top. This dial features black Roman Numerals and the maker’s signature, ‘Robin/ à Paris’. The dial is displayed behind a glass lens within a foliate bezel. The case is decorated in its upper corners with rosettes, and in the lower section with a stylised depiction of a swan. The case is topped by a sculpture of a wreath, propped up on a roll of paper or parchment. To the left of the case, there is a full-length statue of a man who wears a classical robe and holds a mirror. A lyre leans against the right side of the case.
The clock is set on a wide rectangular base which is decorated with a low-relief scene taken from the classical myth of Dido and Aeneas...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Clock Garniture Designed by Sévin, Cast by Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt-bronze and porcelain mounted clock garniture, designed by Louis-Constant Sévin, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, The Movement by Japy Frères.
Frédéric Japy ...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Early Tripod Table Clock by Thomas Cole with Glass Dome
Located in London, GB
An extraordinary rustic tripod table clock
by Thomas Cole
Retailed by E. White of London
The circular green velvet-clad base supporting three equidistantly spaced brass imitation logs, from which the clock and its mechanism are suspended; housed within a brass bezel conformingly styled as naturalistic logs, the circular etched and engraved gilt dial with elegant blued steel hands, marked at 6 o'clock "E. White, 20 Cockspur St, London", having the hours marked in Roman numerals; the tapered two-tier movement has a six wheel train with five-spoke crossings between spotted plates, the upper section fixed by blued steel screws to the backplate, enclosing a Brocot-style deadbeat escapement incorporating rubies and train to the centre wheel, the pendulum of most unusual design styled as a lidded cauldron over a simulated fire. Complete with a glass dome and key. The front plate numbered “1637.”
London made, circa 1861
Thomas Cole, (1800-1864)
Son of Thomas Cole Snr, a Somerset clockmaker, his history and works are fully recorded in 'Thomas Cole & Victorian Clockmaking' by John B. Hawkins, published 1975, in Sydney. Known as a specialist in making decorative timepieces of the highest quality, Cole exhibited at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851; he warranted an 'honourable mention' in the Paris Exhibition of 1855 and the London 1862 Exposition International, where he was awarded a medal for 'excellence of taste and design'.
Hawkins discuss Thomas Cole's tripod clocks...
Category
19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Honoré Pons
By Honoré Pons
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock is a truly beautiful piece of design, crafted by the leading early 19th century French clock-maker, Pierre-César Honoré Pons. Honoré Pons...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mantel clock has been designed in an 18th century Rococo style, which was popularised by the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory. The clock has been expertly cast in bronze a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Clock Set by Denière
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. The central mantel clock is formed of a rectangular gilt bronze mounted grey marble base. Raised on four gilt bronze ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Samson Porcelain and Ormolu Chinoiserie Elephant Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Samson porcelain and ormolu Chinoiserie elephant clock
French, Late 19th Century
Height 24cm, width 17cm, depth 13cm
This exquisite and...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1880
A fine French, gilt bronze ormolu mantel clock with its porcelain face, the case with elaborate garland decorations culminating in a volute krater of flowers ab...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large English Late 19th Century Ormolu Strut Clock in Manner of Cole
Located in London, GB
Large beautifully cut and engraved ormolu English Victorian strut clock in the manner of Cole. Silvered dial with engine turned centre with beautifully cut blued steel hands. 8 day l...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Obelisk Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Signed: Joseph Gay Horloger du Roy A Turin
The movement is contained in a white marble obelisk which is surmounted by an armillary sphere finial. The front with a panel chased wit...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Sèvres Style Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock by Kreisser
Located in London, GB
This gilt bronze mounted mantel clock is formed about a beautiful sky-blue, parcel gilt Sèvres style porcelain vase. The enamel dial is mounted within a gilt bronze drum that is drap...
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Small Ormolu French Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Small French Ormolu Cartel clock in a finely decorated case.
Enamel dial with Roman numerals and original gilded hands.
Eight day Fr...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Eagle and Marble Ball Clock, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze eagle and marble ball clock. France, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Revival Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century Cut-Glass French Urn Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A beautiful French cut-glass and gilded ormolu Louis XVI style urn mantel clock. Measures: 41cm (16") high. Having 'hobnail cut glass pattern, two scrolling handles with winged lion ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock Stamped in Bronze H. Picard
By Henri 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...
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Slate & Bronze Clock by Marti
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A STUNNING 19C French Slate & Bronze Clock by Marti.
Made circa 1860 by the famous French Clockmaker, J. Marti et Cie of Paris.
Marti Clocks are highly desirable and highly collectible, BUT this Clock is one of the FINEST EXAMPLES of a Marti Black Slate and Bronze mantel clock we have EVER seen. The bronze detailing is SPECIAL.
From the top, the clock is topped by a floral and ball bronze finial on square plinth or platform.
Then it extends to an angular arched pediment with bronze floral wreath insert into the center.
The next section, consists of a central bronze scene of 2 cherubs floating on water with a fish.
This is flanked on either side by a floral rose medalion in bronze.
It then extends downwards with 2 Corinthian Style bronze columns, with the main insert being bronze neo-classical or goddess figures (each one different than the other).
The dial, clock face...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Slate, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century Empire-Style Longcase Clock
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive mahogany longcase clock with gilt and sculpted decorative bronze elements such as fantastic animals, diamond-shaped patterns, scrollwork, and foliage. This floor clock is ...
Category
1880s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Three-Piece Tortoiseshell and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French three-piece tortoiseshell and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 55cm, width 26cm, depth 15cm
Candelabra: Height 46cm, width 22cm, depth 20cm
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Napoleon III Ormolu and Marble Carriage Clock signed by Ed. Chartier
Located in London, GB
A beautiful French Napoleon III ormolu carriage clock, with all five panels mounted in red marble. The marble panels overlaid with original gilt bronze neoclassical figures and acant...
Category
1880s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece clock and candelabra set is formed of malachite and is fitted with gilt and patinated bronze mounts. The malachite base of th...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Restauration Period Gilt Bronze Mounted Lapis Mantel Clock
By Gérard-Jean Galle
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock dates from the period of Charles X and is crafted from gilt bronze with a later lapis lazuli veneer. The clock body is columnar in form, having a rectangular profil...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Neoclassical Style Malachite, Silvered and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This spectacular clock set is based on the works of the esteemed Neoclassical artist James Pradier (French, 1790-1852), whose sculptures can be found in nearly all of Paris's major m...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze Cylindrical Mantel Clock with Emblems of Love
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze cylindrical mantel clock with emblems of love
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 40cm, diameter 17cm
This fabulously quirky mantel clock is modelled to depict Cup...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Second Empire Period Patinated and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece mantel clock set contains a clock and two candelabra. The set was produced circa 1860, during the Napoleon III period, and demonstrates the eclecticism typical to de...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. Unusually, the clock and candelabra are constructed entirely of gilt bronze. The bronze dial of the mantel clock is i...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Hand-Painted Enamel Carriage Clock with Allegorical Themes
Located in London, GB
A fine cased carriage clock
The substantially sized 'Gorge' case houses a lever platform escapement, striking the hours and half hours on a blued st...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Steel, Ormolu
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in London, GB
This beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) mantel clock was crafted in France during the period when Napoleon I was Emperor (1804-1814, 15). It was designed by the famous bronze caster and ...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Ormolu Clocks for Sale on 1stDibs
Antique ormolu clocks and other 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 — older French ormolu clocks are especially coveted today — ormolu is still widely loved by contemporary designers and collectors.
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.
If you're looking to bring a touch of this 19th-century pizzazz to your desk, an antique ormolu desk clock is a decorative touch that blends ornament and functionality. The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier. Indeed, an ormolu clock is an object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. (This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles!)
Today, antiques collectors and interior designers seek out the finest in antique ormolu clocks and 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 desk clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
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