Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.

While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.

Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.

The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.

Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Style: Classical Roman

French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra

$7,540 / set

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Satyr Figurals Mantel Clock

Located in Germantown, MD

A clean Rococo-style gilt bronze figural mantel clock. The clock is a late 19th-century piece, featuring cherubs / satyrs. The style is characterized by elaborate scrollwork, foliag...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Satyr Figurals Mantel Clock

$1,903

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock Candelabra Garniture Set

$28,500 / set

H 29 in W 19.13 in D 9.75 in

Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

Renaissance style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height 53cm, width 28cm, depth 23cm This exquisite mantel clock is crafted in the idios...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mantel Clock

$20,563

H 20.87 in W 11.03 in D 9.06 in

French 19th Century Bronze Marble Mantel Clock Set

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A captivating three-piece mantel clock, from 19th century France, crafted in Siena marble and gilt bronze, with multiple stylistic reference points from the Grand Tour of Europe. The...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Bronze Marble Mantel Clock Set

$1,695 / set

H 15.75 in W 9.13 in D 4 in

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

Located in High Point, NC

19th century beautifully hand crafter cathedral clock in gilt bronze. This is a magnificent example of 19th century French craftsmanship. There are many beautiful details to this p...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

$3,250

H 18.5 in W 7.13 in D 4.75 in

Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

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 Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$11,613

H 18.51 in W 9.85 in D 4.73 in

Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

This Sèvres style clock is an elegant piece of late 19th century design, which will make a wonderful addition to a mantelpiece. It has been beautifully cast in bronze and gilded (orm...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock

$13,023

H 19.69 in W 11.82 in D 5.12 in

French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in New York, NY

Winged cupid with flowing robe, clock resting between wings and fabric, raised on bronze ormolu-mounted verde antico plinth. France, first half of the 19th century. Measures: H ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$6,000

H 16 in W 9 in D 5 in

19th Century French Empire Clock

Located in Los Angeles, CA

19th Century finely chased and cast dore bronze mantle clock. Porcelain dial in excellent condition. Signed "Millet." Original pendulum. Don't have original key, but can have one made.

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Clock

$7,500

H 19 in W 13.5 in D 5.25 in

Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite mantel clock French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 47cm, width 19cm, depth 19cm This wonderful Louis XVI style mantel clock is designed in malachite and gilt bronze—with the malachite being a later veneer. The clock takes after a famous original 1775 model by Brécourt, known as 'Vase pendule...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Mantel Clock

$11,652

H 18.51 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Astoria, NY

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, late 19th century, surmounted by an urn issuing a laurel wreath, the circular dial with enamel numerals, the movement strike on bell, flanke...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$1,450

H 19 in W 12 in D 6 in

Tiffany Co. Gilt Bronze and Rouge Marble Mantel Clock

By Tiffany Co.

Located in New York, NY

A Tiffany & Co. gilt bronze and rouge marble mantel clock with figures of night and day Maker: Tiffany & Co. (American, 1837-) Date: Circa 1890...

Category

19th Century Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Co. Gilt Bronze and Rouge Marble Mantel Clock

$12,000

H 18 in Dm 24 in

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer

Located in London, GB

In their elaborate use of C-scrolls, putti figures, stylised acanthus leaves and flowers, this clock and barometer are clearly Rococo in their style. The Rococo came into fashion in ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer

$24,676 / set

H 30.32 in W 18.51 in D 5.91 in

Previously Available Items

Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set

By Hermle

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set The Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set

H 15 in W 7.5 in D 3 in

Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock

By Vincenti et Cie

Located in Bronx, NY

This vintage, circa 1855, French Empire mantel clock is designed with a doré bronze mythological subject upon a footed white marble and gilt bronze platform. The mounted bronze sculp...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock

H 14.5 in W 18.75 in D 4 in

Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock

By Cartier

Located in Dallas, TX

Expert craftsmanship! A rare and important Cartier mantle or desk clock of heavy gilt gold bronze with a polished Lapis Lazuli cobalt blue and yellow gold inclusions. Of classical carriage decorative design with columns and a Greek winged eye touch. Roman numerals and chiseled incised hands and face. This clock is extraordinarily heavy, very solid, tight and works perfectly. This is a bit of a Cartier mystery clock...

Category

1980s American Vintage Classical Roman Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock

H 10.4 in W 9.2 in D 3.2 in

Classical Roman mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mantel clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman mantel clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mantel clocks, popular names associated with this style include and Hermle. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mantel clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,441 and tops out at $6,813 while the average work can sell for $2,662.