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Material: Ormolu
A French Empire Ormolu Bronze Mantle Clock after Percier et Fontaine
Located in Long Island City, NY
A French Empire Ormolu Bronze Mantle Clock after Percier et Fontaine, 19th Century.
In the hallowed halls of horological history, this Empire gilt-bronze ormolu mantle clock, a subl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Exceptional C19th French Boulle Mantle Clock
Located in London, GB
A very Important French Ormolu Mounted Boulle Mantel Clock
Inlaid Brass in The Regency Style
Each Corner Decorated with Recumbent Horses
Nice Large Dial 8 and a half inches surround...
Category
19th Century French Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
$29,382 Sale Price
20% Off
A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock
Candelabra Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Assembled Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabra Garniture Set. The finely chased ormolu clock body, with it...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Mantel Clock, signed Ferey au Havre, Ormolu
Located in Greven, DE
Small mantel clock with bas-relief
France
Bronze, enamel
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 33 x 19 x 9 cm
Description:
Antique, fire-gilt portal clock with figurative, Gre...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Bronze Clock with Sèvres Porcelain
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A fine quality Louis XVI style bronze ormolu mantel clock. The case is made of gilt brass and bronze ormolu casted ornaments, Roman numerals in white enameled cartouches. On top of t...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Style Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock Garniture
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A very fine Louis XVI style figural mantel clock with matching flanking candelabra. The clock is bronze casted and has an ormolu f...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Clock by Achille Brocot
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent early ormolu (finely gilded bronze) and Sèvres style porcelain clock by renown maker Achille Brocot. It is mounted with delicately painted Sèvres style porcelain with a...
Category
19th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Stunning quality antique Victorian ormolu mantle clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Stunning quality antique Victorian ormolu mantle clock having a quality Victorian ormolu mantle clock, the clock case having elaborate scrollwork, floral patterns and decorative moti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Period Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock with Candelabras
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A finely bronze fire-gilded ormolu mantel clock set with matching candelabras. Rich ornate with typical Louis XVI mounts, floral garlands, scr...
Category
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel
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
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
Antique Georgian Long Case Grandfather Clock Higgs
Evans London Spanish Market
By Robert and Peter Higgs of London
Located in Portland, OR
A fabulous investment quality antique George III Flame mahogany & gilt bronze eight day movement tall case grandfather clock, by Robert & Peter Higgs & David Evans, made for the Span...
Category
1770s English George III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Alabaster Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Alabaster Portico Mantel Clock, late 19th century, the circular enamel dial, with strike on bell movement, surmounted by an urn and supported by four flute...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, Enamel, Ormolu
19th century French ormolu and marble figural mantel clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century ormolu and marble figural mantel clock circa 1870.
Parisian made mantel clock with 'foy a paris' marked on the white enamel clock face...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large 18th Century French Louis XV Period Cartel Wall Clock Signed A. Gosselin
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine and large 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. Original gilding throughout, exquisite patina.
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). Antoine Gosselin who worked actively under Louis XV until the Revolution and was established in rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, in Paris. He hand crafted magnificent pieces that were at the time only reserved for the King.
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
$31,600 Sale Price
20% Off
French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Category
1790s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Exceptional French Ormolu-Mounted Turquoise Jeweled Sevres Porcelain Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional French bronze ormolu mounted turquoise jeweled Sèvres Porcelain clock set by Raingo Fres, Paris, circa 1880.
Comprising of a clock in vase form and a pair of five-l...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Exquisite French Empire Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Clock, c. 1815
Located in Queens, NY
An exquisite French Empire ormolu and cut-crystal clock, c. 1815, attributed to Baccarat.
Made from the finest quality mercury gilding ormolu, this c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
A French ‘Chariot’ Three-pieces Clock Garniture attributed to F.Linke circa 1890
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A French Ormolu and Patinated-Bronze ‘Chariot’ Three-pieces Clock Garniture
Attributed to François Linke (1855 - 1946), Paris, Late 19th/ Century
The clock representing a putto on ...
Category
1890s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Fine Ormolu and Marble Cherub Clock Set by H Luppens Paris
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large and magnificent clock set by the renown bronze founder H Luppens of Brussels. Classically modelled in the Louis XVI style, the clock features three ormolu cherubs toiling to ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
Antique French Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Clock
~ French - Circa 1850 ~
~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~
A fine and early ormolu ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
$46,000 Sale Price
20% Off
French Louis Xv1 Style Striking Figural Ormolu-Mounted White Marble Clock
Located in London, GB
A wonderful French Louis XV1 style striking figural ormolu-mounted white marble clock.
The beautifully cast figures of Venus and Cupid are springi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze White Marble Cherub Cupid Clock
By S. Marti
Cie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Louis XVI Style gilt and patinated bronze and white marble figural mantel clock with a figure of a drummer cherub. The brown patina cupid, seated on gilt-bronze clouds ...
Category
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$6,972 Sale Price
43% Off
19th Century After Sevre Louis XV Style Mantel Clock Set
Located in Austin, TX
This magnificent 19th Century Louis XV Style Mantel Clock Set, crafted in the style of Sèvres, embodies the opulence and elegance of French decorative arts. The set includes an intri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$1,874 Sale Price
25% Off
Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock Set - Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful antique French ormolu clock set in the Rococo style. It features cupid as a cherub, seated to the top with torch and quiver of...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$5,373 / set
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
$28,950 Sale Price
61% Off
French Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock of Ceres, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A fine Empire period mantel clock with bun feet raising a rectangular base with a central portrait of Bacchus flanked by exquisitely chiseled motif of swirling foliage surmounted by a figure of the goddess Ceres grasping in her lowered hand a wreath woven with foliage and berries while in her garment she collects a bountiful harvest; she rests beside the clock tower with a framed lens opening to access the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals inscribed Etn. Tavernier set with Breguet style hands, raising an urn filled with fruits of the soil; against the tower rest the implements of labor, a shovel and flat rake. The movement is engraved "B". A significant clock movement maker, Etienne Tavernier (French, 1756-1839) is listed in Tardy's horology reference as working closely with the house of Abraham-Louis Breguet as well as providing clock movements...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Figural Clock, late 19th century, depicting a crouching Aphrodite with Cupid, above the circular enamel dial, strike on bel...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture By Ch. Drieu, Paris
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning 19th century ormolu clock garniture in the Louis XV style by Ch. Drieu, the white enamel with Roman numerals signed “Ch. Drieu, 4 Rue de Thorigny”. The clock is flanked by...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock Set
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Three Piece Clock Set, the clock case with cupola and columnar supports, enameled dial, the movement with mercury compensated pendulum and stri...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
$3,700 / set
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cherubs
Rooster Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze and white marble figural mantel clock. The finely chased ormolu body, with its original two-tone mercury gilt, centered with a circular enameled porcelain clock face with Roman and Arabic numeral dials and inscribed 'A. Thomas - Fabt de Bronze - 56, Rue de Turenne - Paris', surmounted with a pair of playful seated cherubs amidst clouds and wreaths, the case crowned with a figure of a Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$14,950 Sale Price
21% Off
An Extremely Rare Ships Wheel Pendulum Four Glass Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Amersham, GB
This Fine french four glass mantel clock has a beautifully gilded case with thick bevelled glass panels and doors. the eight day movement with visible jewelled Brocot escapement is m...
Category
1870s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Steel, Ormolu
Napoleon III Ormolu
Porcelain Mounted Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III Ormolu and Porcelain Mounted Clock, circa 1860, the white enamel dial with Turkish numerals, the movement strike on bell, surmounted by an urn of flowers, flanked by cor...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock - Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A very fine and substantial ormolu clock by the clockmaker Vincenti. Stunning Rococo balloon form of sweeping acanthus swags, scrolls and floral flourishes. To the top of a beautiful...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Bronze and Marble Garniture Set with Clock
Candelabras
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze and White Marble Three Piece Clock Set, late 19th century, comprising a globe clock, with strike on bell timepiece movement, supported by th...
Category
Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
$3,250 Sale Price / set
29% Off
Fine Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Antique French Clock Set
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning antique French ormolu clock set, circa 1870, mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with Rose Pompadour pink ground. Pan...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
pair of French 19th century Ormolu clock and barometer, signed by Colin, Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu clock and barometer, signed by William Colin, Paris. Each stunning clock and barometer are set within ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Tortoiseshell
Brass Inlaid Boulle Ormolu 8 Day Clock Paris 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French Boulle 8 day mantle clock, Paris, circa 1880.
The clock having a cast gilt bronze ormolu finial to the top, modeled as a tazza full of fruit, the case is made o...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Very Large Ormolu Marble Regulator Calendar Mantle Clock Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Very Large Ormolu Marble Regulator Calendar Mantle Clock Barbedienne
French, Late 19th Century
Height 121cm, width 64cm, depth 28cm
Expertly produced in France during the final de...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
$114,266 Sale Price
30% Off
French 19th Century Louis XV style longcase clock.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite 19th-century French Louis XV style long case clock features intricate ormolu mountings that highlight its elegance. Adorned with finely detailed floral motifs and cher...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$59,853 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Grandfather - Tall Case Clock
By Kahn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted amaranth, tulipwood, sycamore and parquetry pedestal "Régulateur de Parquet" Clock, after the model attributed to Jean-...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$75,600 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Sevres Style 3 Piece Clock Clock Garniture
Located in Dublin, IE
A Fine 19th Century French Sevres-Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture. Comprising a central mantel clock and a pair of five-light candelabra, each richly decorated with h...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Sèvres-Style Ormolu Mounted Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Sèvres-style ormolu mounted porcelain mantel clock
French, 19th Century
Height 50cm, diameter 21cm
This superb 19th century porcelain clock...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$11,426 Sale Price
30% Off
New Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case, N
By DeART, Franz Hermle
Located in Germantown, MD
A 21st Century German Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case in new open box condition.
Clock made in Germany by the historic, very famous Franz Hermle clock...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Post-Modern Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
C19th French Louis XVI style Boulle mantel clock. 86cm high
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th Century French Louis XVI style, Boulle mantel clock, having red stained Tortoiseshell veneer to the case, gilded Rococo influenced ormolu mounts, white enamel Roma...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu
Sevres Porcelain 3 Piece Clock Candelabra Garniture 1870
Located in Portland, OR
An outstanding quality antique gilded bronze & Sevres porcelain French 3 piece, 8 day clock garniture with candelabra, by Brocot & Delettrez, Paris, circa 1870.
The clock with an 'egg' shaped urn made of cobalt blue Sevres porcelain with a hand-painted panel with a neo-classical beauty and a cupid, the rear is painted with gilt birds & floral decoration. The urn with gilt bronze handles to the sides held in the mouths of lion's masks, the clock below also with sumptuously decorated with gilded cobalt porcelain panels, the clock dial with black Roman numerals & is finely painted with two horses and a chariot with a putti falling out of the chariot. The clock has two winding arbors one for the 8 day time wind the other for a chime, the clock chimes the hours on a soft delicate sounding bell, the clock is in full working order and was recently professionally cleaned.
The clock is complemented with a pair of gilt bronze & cobalt blue Sevres porcelain four branch vasiform candelabras, decorated with oval panels to the front with putti & Neoclassical maidens, the back panels finely painted with birds, each candelabra is in two sections and raised on gilt bronze bases with corbel brackets & acanthus leaf feet.
The bronze casting is very likely by the Barbedienne Foundry in Paris, as the quality is outstanding, the clock is stamped "BD" for Achille Brocot (1817-1878) and Jean-Baptiste Delettrez (1816-1887), they were two of the most important French clock makers of the mid to late 19th century, please see some biography below.
The clock is mechanically & cosmetically in excellent condition, and was recently overhauled by a clock-smith, the porcelain & ormolu are also in excellent condition, one of the very best investment quality gilt-bronze & Sevres porcelain clock garnitures by the top French makers of the period, circa 1870.
This garniture will be professionally crated for shipping.
Delettrez and Achille Brocot, son of the respected clockmaker Louis-Gabriel Brocot, established the clockmaking company "Brocot et Delettrez" in Paris on 20 October 1851, with premises at 62 Rue Charlot Paris. Jean-Baptiste Delettrez worked alongside Achille Brocot for several years and their clock movements are considered to be the most effective made during the late 19th century. Their specialty was a range of clocks based on the innovations of Brocot père and his other son Antoine, but generally of Achille's greatly advanced original design, some having a unique single-arm double-wheel escapement, some having a temperature-compensated pendulum, some having two dials, one of which showed the time and the other which showed a calendar and often other information such as phases of the moon, times of sunrise & sunset in Paris, etc. The firm was awarded a 1st class prize at the Paris World Exposition of 1857 for a commercial clock...
Category
1870s French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Ormolu Clock Garniture in the Louis XVI Style
Located in Dublin, IE
Measures: H: 25 1/2 in / 64.7 cm ; W: 22 1/4 in / 56.5 cm ; D: 9 1/2 in / 24.2 cm
An exceptional quality three-piece clock set designed in a grand neoclassical.
The set is compri...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
The Linke Grand Regulator World
s Fair Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Grand Regulator World's Fair Clock
François Linke
Circa 1900
Widely regarded as the greatest sculptural clock ever created, this monumental régulateur by François Linke was conceived as a statement for the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition, a moment when the world’s finest artisans competed on an international stage. Linke, the most celebrated ébéniste of the Belle Époque, was awarded the prestigious gold medal for his display, which critics described as “the biggest event in the history of furnishing art in the year 1900.” Designed in collaboration with the sculptor Léon Messagé, the clock exemplifies Linke’s ambition to elevate furniture and timepieces to the realm of fine art.
The clock represents over a decade of design and craftsmanship. Only six examples of this model were ever completed due to the extraordinary labor and cost involved. Building just one had a production cost of 22,966 francs, the equivalent of approximately eight years' wages for the average French worker in 1900. The clock is illustrated on the spine of Christopher Payne’s definitive monograph on Linke. Mahdi Al-Tajir, one of the world’s most important collectors, later acquired the present model. Another is located at Whitehall, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. It was acquired by Rockefeller’s partner, Henry Flagler...
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Late 18th/19th Century French Empire Mantle Clock By Parisian Clockmaker Lepaute
By Lepaute
Located in Dublin, IE
A Fine
Most Impressive French Gilt, Patinated Bronze and White Marble Mantel Clock by Lepaute of Paris, France. Of impressive scale and refined Neoclassical design, the circula...
Category
Early 1800s French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Grand Ormolu and Marble Clock Set by Raingo Frères and Salmson
Located in London, GB
Grand ormolu and marble clock set by Raingo Frères and Salmson
French, Late 19th Century
Clock: Height 69cm, width 81cm, depth 23cm
Candelabra: Height 80cm, width 34cm, depth 34cm
This elegant clock set was created by Raingo Frères and Jean Jules Salmson (French, 1823–1902). Raingo Frères, founded in 1832, was famous for its astronomical clocks, one of which is now in the Windsor Castle collection. The set is complemented by bronzes from the renowned sculptor Salmson, a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salon.
The garniture includes a central mantel clock and two matching eight-light candelabra, all expertly crafted from ormolu and white marble. The clock features a central column topped with a finely detailed sculptural group of bacchantes holding grapevine garlands, with cherubs draping them over large vases. The white enamel dial is framed by an acanthus ormolu mount and rests on a base with twin ormolu lion feet.
The candelabra mirrors...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$90,460 Sale Price / set
30% Off
19th Century Antique French Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional quality three-piece clock set designed in a grand neoclassical style by 'Domange Rollin Rue de Bretagne Paris'. France.
The set is comprised of a central clock and tw...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu-Mounted Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality empire ormolu-mounted patinated bronze and rouge royale marble mantel clock.
The patinated bronze figures depicting cupid and psyche. Attributed to Pierre-Victor Ledure...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Ormolu Wall Clock Barometer
Located in London, GB
Antique French Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Ormolu Wall Clock Barometer
French, Mid-18th Century
Height 133cm, width 34cm, depth 16cm
Dating from the mid-18th century, this remarkab...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
$71,416 Sale Price / set
30% Off
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
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
$26,000 / set
A Restauration Period Porcelain Inset Ormolu Mantel Clock, Attributed to Deniere
Located in Queens, NY
A Restauration Period Paris Porcelain Inset Ormolu Mantel Clock,
Attributed to Jean François Denière, circa 1820 to 1830
A refined and architecturally composed Restauration period m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Champleve Enamel and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality and attractive French champleve gilt bronze and light blue champleve enamel clock set. Retailed by Camerden & Forster, New York. Gilt bronze and champleve enamel.
Or...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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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