Ormolu Clocks
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Material: Ormolu
Napoleon III Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze clock set by Picard
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 72cm, width 46cm, depth 27cm
Candelabra: Height 78...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 51cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm
This mantel ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Ormolu Mantle Clock, Louis XVI Style
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting 19th century Louis XVI style gilded Bacchus influenced ormolu mantel (fireplace) clock depicting three putti rolling a barrel on the back of a cloven hoofed putti. The ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique 18th Century Boulle Bracket Clock by Brezagez and Marchand
By Marchand
Located in London, GB
Antique 18th century Boulle bracket clock by Brezagez and Marchand
French, circa 1740
Measures: Clock: Height 87cm, width 47cm, depth 21cm
Bracket: Height 40cm, width 53cm, depth 24cm
Total: Height 127cm
This beautiful 18th century French bracket clock...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Ormolu
Marble, Gilt, and Patinated Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece clock set by Barbedienne
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 93cm, width 60cm, depth 28cm
Candelabra: Height 97cm, width 46cm, depth 33cm
This monumental marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece set is a stunning example of Barbedienne's craftsmanship during the Parisian Belle Époque. Paul Dubois' 'Le Courage Militaire...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Eclectic Style Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique eclectic style gilt bronze clock set by Henri Picard and Denière et Fils
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Clock height 78cm, width 36cm, depth 24cm, candelabra height ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock Garniture
By A.D. Mougin
Located in London, GB
A fine quality late 19th century French bronze and ormolu garniture, the 8-day striking enamelled dial movement by AD Mougin - Paris, contained in ormolu cas...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Lyre Shape Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French white marble and gilded ormolu mantel clock in the shape of a Lyre. Having a sun burst mount above gilded ormolu garlands of flowers, set into the ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Belle Époque Period Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Belle Époque period gilt bronze and enamel clock set
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 15cm
Vases: Height 29cm, diameter 11.5cm
Candlestic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Ormolu Mantel Hen House Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French ormolu mantel clock, having 8-day movement with enamel dial, mounted in “hen house” with urn and flower mounts to side, the oval...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Rare Orientalist Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Denière et Fils
Located in London, GB
Rare orientalist gilt bronze mantel clock by Denière et Fils
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 54cm, width 40cm, depth 18cm
This beautiful mantel clock is crafted from gilt br...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting late 19th century French gilded ormolu and marble mantel clock, depicting cherubs playing, one chasing a young girl, the other hiding amongst a wreath and foliage. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Sèvres Neoclassical Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Directoire clock attributed to Sèvres. Beautifully sculpted biscuit porcelain in white and Wedgwood blue jasper ware col...
Category
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set by Raingo Frères and Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze three-piece clock set by Raingo Frères and Henri Picard
This exceptional 19th century clock set comprises of three pieces crafted from gilt bronze: a central mantel cl...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock Commemorating Napoleon
Located in London, GB
Large gilt bronze mantel clock commemorating Napoleon
French, circa 1840
Measures: Height 57cm, width 40cm, depth 15cm
The gilt bronze m...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Rococo Cartel Wall Clock, in the Louis XVI Style
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and patinated bronze sun burst cartel wall clock. Depicting cherubs among clouds and sun rays. The white enamel clock fac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Antique French Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock with Musical Design Motif
Located in Madrid, ES
A true museum piece, this beautifully sculptural clock could easily find its home in a traditional environment, or be a functional and explosive counterpoint to a minimalist interior...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Arch top French mantel clock in a finely decorated Ormolu case with classical scene to the front, standing on a mahogany base with brass banding and resting on brass feet.
Enamel ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Fine 19th Century Sevres Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French Sevres style mantel clock, having a wonderful gilded ormolu case with an urn to the top with cobalt...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Lyre-Form Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lyre-form gilt bronze clock
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 19cm, depth 13cm
This wonderful mantel clock, crafted entirely from gilt bronze, is a magnificent example of the Louis XVI style. The clock is designed about the motif of the lyre—a popular form for Louis XVI style clocks. The clock features a stepped plinth-form base, raised on four bun feet. The base supports the clock case itself, which is wrought to resemble a lyre: the dial is set into the body of the lyre, while the twin lyre arms spring from the shoulders of the case. The arms are joined above by a garland held by scrolled swan’s head finials, between which is situated an Apollo sunburst mask. The gilt bronze surrounding the dial is richly moulded with scrolled forms and grasping acanthus leaves. The dial itself, with a pierced centre, features Arabic numeral hour marks on individual circular enamel cartouches.
The movement is signed ‘Le Roy a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Hardstone Inlay Napoleon III Period Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and hardstone inlay Napoleon III period clock set by Barbedienne
French, 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 50cm, width 23cm, depth 16c...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Stone, Bronze, Ormolu
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Cupid and Psyche
Located in London, GB
Large neoclassical style gilt bronze mantel clock with cupid and psyche
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 54cm, width 80cm, depth 30cm
This ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Renaissance Revival Enamel and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Renaissance Revival enamel and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Size: Height 53cm, width 29cm, depth 22cm
The mantel clock i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Charles X Malachite and Gilt Bronze Figurative Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X malachite and gilt bronze figurative clock
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 62cm, width 45cm, depth 16cm
This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Ch...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Large Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style clock garniture. The pair of five branch candelabra supported by a pair of classical semi clad females, ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large Charles X Period Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Charles X period gilt bronze and malachite clock
French, circa 1830
Measures: Height 62cm, width 54cm, depth 20cm
This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Charles...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Porcelain Mounted Figural Clock, Allegorical of the Arts
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI style gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain mounted figural clock, Allegorical of the Arts.
The dial signed 'Colin, Paris'.
The movement stamped 'Vincenti et Cie'.
...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm
This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock Lerolle Freres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French 19th Century Louis XV Style gilt bronze figural cartel clock by Lerolle Frères, the finely frame body with a circular face with Roman numerals, the ce...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Rare and Exquisite French Ormolu and Porcelain Clock, attributed to Deniere
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Exquisite French Ormolu Bronze and Porcelain Clock, attributed to Jean Francois Deniere,
circa 1810.
This large and elaborate clock is made of the finest quality ormolu and porcelain during the period. Of rectangular form, with porcelain and bronze columns painted with flowers and griffins, this clock would make a statement in any room.
To a clock collector, this clock is a true masterpiece! Similar clocks like this, by Deniere, are in prestigious museums and collections worldwide, including the Frick Collection and the Royal Collection Trust.
21.5" high x 12" wide x 6" deep
**For a similar clock see Christies New York, 21 November 2008, Lot # 139, sold for $50,000.
Very good condition with no damages. All original parts. Clock is not running.
More photos available upon request.
Jean-François Deninger, called Denière, was one of the most illustrious bronziers of the first half of the 19th century. Appointed Envoy in Constantinople around 1796, the bronzier Denière entered into partnership with François Mathelin in 1797. They founded a prosperous operation and their atelier had over 200 workers during the Empire period - a number that subsequently doubled during the reign of Louis-Philippe. Fournisseur to the duchesse de Berry and Louis-Philippe, Denière also worked for the duke of Hamilton, Ferdinand VII of Spain, William II of Hesse, William II of Holland, Tsar Alexander II of Russia, and other heads of state. In 1817-1818 Denière furnished some of the bronze work for the redecoration of the White House in Washington. He furthermore produced the mounts for the cradle of the duc de Bordeaux in 1820 and the bronzes for Charles X's coronation coach...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Monumental Ormolu Bronze Clock Mantel by Maison Marquis Movement by Languereau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and monumental 19th century French ormolu bronze mantel clock by Maison Marquis.
The movement by Languereau.
Paris, Circa 1855
The dial signed 'Marquis A Paris...
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Rare 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Inclined Plane Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An extremely rare Louis XVI mantel clock 'a cremaillere', a movement driven by its own weight, where the moving drum barrel is running down an inclined whi...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figurative Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt bronze figurative mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 33cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm
This superb mantel clock is a wonderful example of the...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Rare 19th Century Sevres Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very fine quality French late 19th century Sevres style and gilded ormolu clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra, each with ram's head and female mask mounts, dra...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Enamel, Onyx, and Gilt Bronze Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style enamel, onyx, and gilt bronze pedestal clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 125cm, width 36cm, depth 30cm
This beautiful pedestal clock has...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Champlevé Enamel Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French champlevé enamel and porcelain clock garniture, set in a gilded ormolu case, the porcelain panels to the clock and urns depicting classic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Gilded Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive fine quality 19th century French gilded ormolu Louis XVI style clock garniture. Having a pair of seven branch scrolling foliate candelabra. The clock with a seated ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock with Champleve Decoration by Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Norwich, GB
French gilt ormolu mantle clock with beautiful champlevé decoration with turned pilasters, architectural pediment with four turned finials.
Gilded chapter ring with Roman numerals...
Category
1870s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Exceptional French Tiffany & Co Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Marble Base
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional French gilt bronze mantel clock marketed by Tiffany & Co, with classical cast gilt figures of a boy and girl reading on each side of the clock, a central raised panel ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts.
The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Pink Porcelain Clock by Japy Fréres in the Louis XVI Manner
By Japy Frères
Located in London, GB
A table clock in the Louis XVI Manner
By Japy Frères
The finely chased ormolu case is dressed with pink 'Sèvres' style hand decorated polychrome panels to the face and sides, dep...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large Neoclassical Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Circular Movement Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large neoclassical style marble and gilt bronze circular movement mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 82cm, width 26cm, depth 26cm
Crafted from the finest of materials, including beautiful white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze, this unusually large mantel clock is a superb piece of neoclassical design. The clock features a white marble vase-shaped case, which houses its circular movement. The vase is set above a plinth form base, which is inset with gilt bronze relief panels...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Mounted Marine Themed Automaton Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mounted marine themed automaton mantel clock
French, circa 1850
Measures: With glass dome and base height 90 cm, width 70 cm, depth 33 cm
Clock without dome and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Category
1810s Belgian Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez
French, circa 1815
Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm
This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Bracket Clock by Gros
By Jean-Louis-Benjamin Gros
Located in London, GB
Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted tortoiseshell bracket clock by Gros
French, circa 1860
Measures: Clock height 90cm, width 52cm, depth 30cm
Bracket height 44cm, width 55cm, dept...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Ormolu Figural Clock by Monbro Aine, Jacquier & Henri Picard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Imposing 19th century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze striking Mantel clock. Flanked by two sitting cherubs and another two cherubs on top, this is another example of a fine French m...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Grande Sonnerie Pendule D'officier Alarm Clock, Le Roi, 18th Century
By Le Roi
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine French ormolu grande sonnerie pendule d'officier with alarm, Le Roi & Fils, late 18th century.
The ormolu case profusely decorated with flora...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Mounted Porphyry Revolving Dial Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This beautiful neoclassical style mantel clock, created from porphyry mounted with silvered and gilt bronze, is formed in the shape of a vase. The movement of the clock is of the cer...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style porcelain and gilt bronze clock set by Barbedienne
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 53cm, width 27cm, depth 24cm
Candelabra: Height 56cm, width 19cm, dep...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Very Large French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Very large French Louis XV style ormolu mantel clock
French, circa 1880
Measures: Height 98cm, width 50cm, depth 27cm
This fine 19th century clock is unusually large, standing a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Architecturally Formed Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French architecturally formed ormolu mantel clock
French, 19th Century
Height 52cm, width 28cm, depth 17cm
This beautiful Baroque style mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The highly detailed case takes the form of a piece of miniaturised architecture: a campanile of sorts, the top level contains the clock dial while the lower level, approached by shallow steps, is flanked by figurative sculptures and culminates in a bas relief frieze...
Category
19th Century French Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Gilt Bronze Strut Clock in the Style of Cole
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th century gilt bronze strut clock in the style of Cole. Original gilding and very fine engraving make this a most attractive clock. The pierced ormolu frame gives a very light...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Restauration Gilt Bronze Mounted Crystal Lyre Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Restauration gilt bronze mounted crystal lyre mantel clock
French, circa 1820
Measures: Height 67cm, width 23cm, depth 14cm
This superb mantel c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Henri Picard & Fedinand Barbedienne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine French 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock, Horloge à Poser, by Henri Picard and Fedinand Barbedienne - ‘F. Barbédienne & Cie. / A Paris’, after the model by É...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Egyptian Revival Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set is designed in the Egyptian Revival style, which was in vogue in Europe and America in the 19th century. The fashion was kick-started by Emperor Napoleon I’s campaign in Egypt in 1798-1799. This led to the publication of ‘Le Description de l’Égypte’ (The Description of Egypt) in 1809 (and a second edition in 1830), which documented various aspects of Egyptian culture, including the pyramids, antiquities, ancient and modern buildings, Egyptian clothing...
Category
19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful early 20th Century clock set with later lapis veneer will make a stunning Neoclassical style addition to a mantelpiece and a bold i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
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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