Ormolu Clocks
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Material: Ormolu
Fine 19th Century Belgium Slate Perpetual Calendar Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A Belgium slate perpetual moon phase clock with visible brocot escapement to the enamelled dial.
The enamel dial to the calendar beautifully painte...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Slate, Enamel, Ormolu
Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris
Located in Montreal, QC
This mantle clock is by a well-respected Paris maker in a fashionable style. The oval base supports a vase shaped clock case in turn supported by winged dolphin heads and flanked by ...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XVI Marble Mantle Clock by Jean-Nicolas Schmit
Located in New Orleans, LA
A horologic masterpiece of precision and beauty, this neoclassical marble and ormolu mantle clock is an extraordinary example of late 18th-century French clockmaking by the famed Jea...
Category
18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Very Impressive French 19th Century Neoclassical Lyre-Form Clock
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An impressive French 19th century Neoclassical Lyre-form clock with jeweled pendulum.
Amazing quality white and yellow marble 19th century French Lyre-Form clock mounted all over with gilt bronze...
Category
1850s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Large Gilt-Bronze and Malachite Charles X Style Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large gilt-bronze and malachite Charles X style mantel clock
French, 19th Century
Height 74cm, width 53cm, depth 24cm
This superb and impressively large mantel clock...
Category
19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble, Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and large scaled French 19th century Louis XVI st. Brèche Violette marble, ormolu and patinated bronze clock signed Balthazard. The clock is raised by a square Brèche Vio...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Rare 'Japonisme' Cut-Crystal Glass Sunflower Clock by Baccarat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
'Pendule Fleur d'Hélianthe' - A Rare 'Japonisme' Cut-Crystal Glass, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Baccarat, Paris.
Stamped 'Baccarat', The clock movement signed 'Planchon à P...
Category
19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Wall Mounted Clock & Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu wall mounted clock and barometer signed by Barbedienne. Each is set in...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Clock
By Henry Dasson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period patinated bronze, ormolu, and Rouge Griotte marble clock attributed to Henry Dasson. The c...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu 8 Day Mantle Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu 8-Day striking Clock with silver dial (stamped Douon on inner plate and one spring dated 1824) mounted in unusual bronze & ormolu case depicting centurion slaying dragon...
Category
19th Century French Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Art Deco Ormolu "Bronze Dorée" Cartel Sunburst Wall Clock, Circa 1915
Located in CH
French Art Deco Ormolu "Bronze Dorée" Cartel Sunburst Wall Clock, Circa 1915.
Since the Louis XIV period the use of Bronze Dorée has been synonymous of high quality and has always b...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Charles X Period Mantel Clock in Ormolu and Patinated Bronze
Located in London, GB
A very smart and stylish antique French Charles X period mantel clock in ormolu and patinated bronze with original ormolu throughout and surmounted by a fine ormolu urn on a stepped ...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Clock with a Love Scene
Located in Lantau, HK
A French late 19th century gilt-bronze (ormolu) mantel clock in the Rococo style. This trapeze-shaped clock is supported by four scroll feet, the lower part of the piece is symmetric...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Antique French Louis XV Ormolu Rococo Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large and stunning original antique French Cartel Wall clock in finely gilded bronze, dating from around 1880. Elegantly designed in the Rococo style of Louis XV, it is formed of b...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Monumental 19th Century French Three-Piece Ormolu Clock Garniture
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality monumental gilt bronze three-piece clock garniture.
Comprising a fine quality large gilt bronze eight-arm figural rococo candelabra a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Marble Clock By Charpentier & Cie.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu, patinated bronze and white Carrara marble clock by Charpentier...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Napoléon III Sèvres Style Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoléon III gilt-bronze and sèvres style cobalt blue ground 'Jewelled' Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of five-light vase candel...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Revolving Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful late 19th century French Annular Louis XVI style gilded ormolu revolving mantel clock, depicting putti representing the arts and music, either side of a rotating tole urn...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Louis XVI Blue Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Clock, Circa 1875-85
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XVI Blue Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Mounted Clock, circa 1875-85.
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Marble and Ormolu Lyre Clock in the Louis XVI Style
Located in London, GB
A French Clock Garniture
in the Louis XVI Manner
The clock and its accompanying candelabra constructed in gilt bronze mounted Italian Carrara marble; the timepiece with stepped elli...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Chinoiserie Style Gilt-Bronze and Enamel Figural Clock
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare Chinoiserie style gilt-bronze and enamel figural clock.
This elegant and sophisticated clock has a finely chiselled gilt-bronze case with gold and enamel highlights. It dep...
Category
19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Clock, Directoire Period, Portico Form, Signed Revel Paris
Located in London, GB
A French Directoire ormolu mounted black marble portico clock of Egyptian temple form. Set upon ormolu toupee feet with a rectangular black marble base. Black marble columns rise up ...
Category
1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Frenc Marble Clock with Patinated Bronze Grand Tour Sculpture of the Arrotino
Located in London, GB
Antique French Sienna marble and ormolu clock with patinated bronze Grand Tour sculpture of the Arrotino (the "Blade-Sharpener"). From the late Charles X period the clock is construc...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Rare French Empire Ormolu Clock of Astronomy Lesson Signed Lafollie a Paris
Located in London, GB
A very rare French Empire ormolu mantel clock of an Astronomy Lesson. I have never seen this model before and it is larger than the other models by Jean Andre Reich. The clock has its original fire/mercury gilt ormolu or bronze doree. The clocks rectangular...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock + Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality mid 19th Century French gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantel clock with a matched pair of classical five brach candelabra, with putti supporting cornucopia. The c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Neoclassical Revival Mantel Clock & Urn Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent turn of the late 19th / early 20th century French three piece mantel set, retailed by the renowned Bailey Banks and Biddle, with movement by Samuel Marti of Paris.
The stunning antique...
Category
Early 20th Century Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Charles X Clock with Bust of Apollo
Located in London, GB
French Charles X patinated bronze, ormolu and black marble clock with bust of Apollo. Very well proportioned clock with a fine bronze taken from the classical marble of Apollo. The bronze was created by the feted Paris bronziers of Choiselat and Gallien who also made some of the fine bronze clocks of "Jason and the Golden fleece...
Category
1830s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Clock Garniture
By FRENCH CLICHE
Located in London, GB
Three piece clock garniture, comprising of a pair of 3 lights ormolou candelabras. Held by cherubs on marble columns, with octagonal bases. The marble applied with finely cast swags. Also roie de blue enamel globe clock...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Louis XVI Style Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock by Charpentier
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A large and richly decorated ormolu bronze mantel clock on a white carrara marble base. The clock is embellished all around with bronze ornaments in Louis XVI style; a lidded coupe w...
Category
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Period Cartel Wall Clock Signed A. Gosselin
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Early 18th century French Louis XV period corne verte (green horn) and ormolu mounted cartel or wall clock. The impressive cartel rests on its original socle - wall mounted base. Signed on the original white enamel dial with hand painted Roman numerals within a hand blown glass door with ormolu trim and decorated with ornate bronze.
Impressively chiseled or ciselé work throughout. The wonderful gilt bronze case is signed by the highly respected maitre ebeniste and clockmaker, A. Gosselin from Paris. It is surrounded by flowers and foliage. Antoine Gosselin ‘A. Gosselin’ (Antoine Gosselin 1731-1794, Paris, master in 1752). Original gilding throughout, exquisite patina.
Clock is in very good antique condition and functions, but may need to be serviced again after shipping just as all clocks do. The ormolu Chinoiserie...
Category
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Bardiglio Marble Japy Freres Clock Set
By Japy Frères
Located in Forney, TX
A fabulous over one hundred and sixty year old Parisian neoclassical style Bardiglio marble three piece mantel set.
Born in Paris, France in the mid 19th century, featuring an an...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Sevres Porcelain and Ormolu Antique French Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A fine, early antique French clock by André Hoffmann of Paris, the movement by Vincenti et Cie, circa 1850. It is beautifully made in ormolu (fir...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Directoire Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period mantel clock. Constructed of black marble with white statuary marble mouldings with fire gilt/mercury ormolu touches such as ...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Unusual French Ormolu and Jeweled Clock Made for the Ottoman Turkish Market
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual French Louis Philippe Ormolu and Jeweled Clock Made for the Ottoman Turkish Market, circa 1840.
The scrollwork case suspending a ribbon-tie...
Category
19th Century French Islamic Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Ormolu Mantel Clock, Atala freeing Chactas, Paris, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock "Atala and Chactas"
Paris
Bronze (fire-gilt and patinated), enamel
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 40 x 32 x 11 cm
Description:
Very rare and extremely high quality French mantel clock, so-called Pendule Au Bon Sauvage.
Depicted are scenes from the love story "Atala or the love of two savages in the desert" written by Francois René Vicomte de Chateaubriand in 1801. At the beginning of the 19th century, this was probably the most famous love story in Europe, but today it has been forgotten.
The story, set in present-day Louisiana (USA), is roughly rewritten about the forbidden love between Chactas, a young Indian, and Atala, the beautiful daughter of a Spaniard.
Chactas is captured in a battle between two Indian tribes, chained to a palm tree and is to be sacrificed. Atala wants to save his life and convert him to Christianity. She unties him from the palm tree at night and they flee together into the wilderness of North America. Their love for each other grows stronger and stronger and they have prospects for a future together.
The story takes a tragic turn when Atala, who must remain a virgin due to a vow made by her mother, can no longer withstand the conflict of her feelings and commits suicide.
The main group of characters thus shows Chacta's liberation through Atala. Atala is leaning against a pile of logs. The animal fur thrown over the logs and the weapons leaning against the stack on the right give the impression of a night camp.
The bronze is of rarely beautiful quality, finely chiselled and makes the scene appear very lively. The contrast of fire-gilded and patinated bronze adds tension to the composition.
In the base we see the Entombment as the end of the tragic love story. This bronze work is also very detailed, the interplay of bright and matt gilding makes the flat relief appear much deeper than it is.
The depiction of the mantel clock presented here shows that the exotic was only known from stories and that the bronzier had his own ideas about the appearance of this distant world. The Indian, for example, has very European facial features and his skin was not black in reality, of course. The palm tree was also certainly not found in the North American wilderness.
The heart of the clock is a French pendulum movement, integrated into the wooden pile, with an eight-day power reserve and a lock plate striking a bell on the half and full hour. The pendulum is suspended on a thread, typical of the period. The classically shaped hands, so-called Breguet hands, are also typical of the time.
The enamelled dial has black Roman hour numerals, Arabic quarter hours and bears the signature: Le Roy hr. de Madame A PARIS.
Interesting facts:
The period from 1795 to about 1815 saw the creation of probably the most spectacular group of bronzes: The "Au bon Sauvage" pendulums - depictions of the "Noble Savage".
Today's viewers react to these objects with both fascination and irritation. Enthusiastic on the one hand about the obvious quality of the detailed bronzes and the allure of the exotic, on the other hand distanced and cautious because of the possible discrimination that is suspected behind them. The ambivalence of this feeling motivates the search for the conditions of origin of these pendulums.
Europeans found their new ideal of the natural man primarily in fictional and realistic travelogues about the Indians of North America...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Charles X French Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Clock Celebrating Hero and Leander
Located in London, GB
French Charles X period patinated bronze and original mercury gilded ormolu "Borne" clock. Fine clock with superb ormolu in the shape of a borne (or milestone). The subject that of Hero and Leander. He sits by an altar as Hero anoints his hair. The clock takes its inspiration directly from the superb paiting "Hero et Leandre" by Pierre-Claude-Francois Delorme ( 1783-1859) presented to the Salon in Paris in 1814. Superb modelling, finishing and gilding. The patinated bronze case is surrounded at the front by a very fine ormolu moulding decorated with Acanthis leaf and Amthemion outside of a beaded border. The feet are decorated with a flaming torch passing through two wreaths. The fine dial decorated again with an outer border of stiff leaf and dart pattern, then Acanthus and Amthemion to the middle circle while to the inside the decoration is laurel leaf and forget-me-not flowers. The dial is signed " Charles Oudin...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Malachite Louis XVI Clock
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and malachite Louis XVI clock
French, late 18th century
Measures: Height 69cm, width 36cm, depth 13.5cm
This fine Louis XVI mantel clock is wrought from malachite and gilt bronze. The malachite veneer is a later, beneficial refinishing. The clock features a plinth-form malachite base supporting four malachite columns, each with a gilt bronze capital. The columns raise an ornately shaped top, which is inset with a circular white enamel dial and is surmounted by urn-form finials. Beneath the dial is suspended an ornately cast and finished gilt bronze drapery...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
18th Century Painted Dial Mahogany Long Case Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An imposing 18th century eight day long case clock by Simister of Birmingham. The amazing mahogany case has a flame mahogany veneered door and the large reeded columns with ormolu mounts to the top. The whole case inlaid with bandings and stringing. The early painted dial...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble clock, signed Armingault à Paris. The clock is raised by an impressive rectang...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Louis Xvith Period Lyre Clock
Located in London, GB
A very attractive Louis XVIth period French antique mantel clock of lyre form. Set on four shaped feet the sharp ended oval base with inset ormol...
Category
1780s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Cobalt Blue Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. cobalt blue porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by a square ormolu base with cut corners with fine rosettes ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Ormolu Striking Library Clock
Located in London, GB
A fascinating Antique French Empire Striking Ormolu mantel clock
A fascinating clock in the form of a library bookcase, with two children sitting at each side. Raised on a plinth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Steel, Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu Clock of Borne Shape and of Hero and Leander
Located in London, GB
French Charles X period patinated bronze and original mercury gilded ormolu "Borne" clock.
Fine clock with superb ormolu in the shape of a borne (or milestone).
The subject that of...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Exceptional Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Grandfather Clock
Located in London, GB
Exceptional Louis XVI style gilt bronze and malachite grandfather clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 250cm, width 54cm, depth 33cm
This superb longcase clock is a wonderful example of the Belle Époque impetus to draw inspiration from the styles of the past. The clock, crafted during the late nineteenth century—though the malachite finish is later—is inspired by a famous eighteenth-century original. The clock is of traditional form, which a cubic clock case inset with an enamel dial and a gilt bronze bezel cast with signs of the zodiac. The central section of the clock includes a window, which reveals the pendulum inside, while the lower section is in the form of a plinth. The malachite veneer is wonderfully varied, with lighter and darker shades of the stone utilised to add visual interest. The clock is surmounted by a sculpture in gilt bronze of Apollo in his chariot, pulled by a quadriga of horses. The dial is signed for Rosel Bruxelles...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Directoire Period Bisque and Ormolu Mantel Clock Depicting Ariadne
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period bisque and ormolu mantel clock depicting Ariadne. Of Fine quality with sky blue and white bisque porcelain and beautifully contrasting and finely cast mounts...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Directoire Egyptian Style Mantel Clock Signed Leclerc
Located in London, GB
Beautiful antique French Directoire period Egyptian or Gout d'Egypt ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Superb quality and condition of the entir...
Category
1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Three Piece Garniture Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual monumental clock set in Griotte marble signed Barbedienne and on the top of the clock you have a bronze made by one of the famous bronze m...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI gilt bronze and malachite clock
French, late 18th Century
Measures: Height 56cm, width 35cm, depth 12cm
Crafted from gilt bronze and a later malac...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Empire Clock in Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Signed Revel Rue De Richelieu
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock representing Ceres. The crowning of Ceres is a stunning clock of very fine quality and with totally original fire gilded...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
English Regency Antique Miniature Mantel Clock in Patinated Bronze and Ormolu
Located in London, GB
A small and unusual patinated bronze and ormolu English Regency mantel clock. Set on four feet the shaped base with ormolu mounts. A putti stands beside the clock housing with his arm raised. The clock is surmounted by a gilt bronze finial. The convex white enamel dial is in fine condition. The 30 hour fusee...
Category
1810s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Garniture Set Retailed by Tiffany & Co
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu, white Carrara marble, Lapis Lazuli, and Baccarat crystal garniture set retailed by...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
Charles X Ormolu French Mantel Clock Surmounted by Lion
Located in London, GB
A French antique Charles X period ormolu mantel clock. The ormolu in excellent original condition and the case of very heavy, dense construction. All parts are beautifully cast. The ...
Category
1830s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock was crafted in circa 1870 in France. Known as a carriage clock, it was designed for use when travelling. Such clocks were crafted on a small scale with handles, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
English Regency Neo-Classical Mantel Clock of Psyche and Cupid
Located in London, GB
English Regency neo-classical mantel clock of Psyche and Cupid. A fine case of rouge marble, patinated bronze and original ormolu. The superb rouge marble breakfront base with D ends...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Cartel Clock, by L. Marchand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu cartel clock, by L. Marchand. The clock has a a fine berried and foliate bottom inverted finial and finely etched...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Rare 19th Century Ormolu Elephant Clock in the Louis XV Style
Located in London, GB
An important mantle Clock 'à l'éléphant'
in the Louis XV style.
Constructed from gilt, hand-chased, and burnished bronze with patinated detail, the mantle clock on an asymmetric Rococo scrolling base with naturalistic features; the main body modelled as an elephant astride, mounted with a turbaned figure of a mahout (elephant keeper) in charge and his companion monkey, the elephant's back supporting a bamboo houdah enclosing the white enamelled dial marking the hours and minutes in Roman and Arabic numerals respectively, a tasselled cushion perched atop with two oriental figures holding parasols.
French, circa 1840
Clocks incorporating animals reigned supreme during the Louis XV period, at a time when curiosity for new cultures was at its height. The exoticism found expression in the accounts of explorers describing rhinoceros, lions and elephants, which were enthusiastically absorbed into European decorative arts.
The elephant acquired a particular aura following the diplomatic gift of the King of Siam to King Louis XIV of an elephant in 1686. Elephants had been used as motifs in horology since the Renaissance period, representing the theme of 'rulership' in the Kunstkammer, as seen in the Augsburg Automaton in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum. The Elephant Clock...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Directoire or Empire Clock with Cupid Riding a Dog
Located in London, GB
Magnificent and very rare French Directoire or Empire clock in patinated bronze and the finest highly worked ormolu. Set upon toupee feet below a rectangular ormolu base with applied...
Category
1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Mantel Clock of Empire Period of "Borne" Form
Located in London, GB
Attractive french Empire clock in patinated bronze and ormolu of milestone or "borne" form. Having very fine applied ormolu mounts to the front and side of the case with also a fine ...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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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