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Material: Ormolu
Fine quality antique 19th Century French ormolu mantle clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fine quality antique 19th Century French ormolu mantle clock, having a fine quality antique French Rococo style mantle clock, having a fantastic quality decorated case with ormolu de...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Goliath Four Glass Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Amersham, GB
This exceptionally rare table regulator of oversized proportions is deceptive in scale, from the movement and escapement to the pendulum every aspect o...
Category
1880s French Late Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Ormolu
$9,046
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
Antique 19th century quality French boulle bracket clock with original bracket
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique 19th century quality French boulle bracket clock with original bracket, Fantastic quality boulle bracket clock inlaid with brass and ormolu moun...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Japy Freres Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Antique French Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A magnificent ormolu (finely gilded bronze) and Sèvres style porcelain clock by renown maker Japy Frères. It is of a beautifully chic design, four turned corner columns with a cushio...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu
Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti
By S. Marti
Cie
Located in Miami, FL
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu & Marble Clock Set by Samuel Marti.
Samuel Marti et Cie clocks can be found on display at the Metropolit...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$18,750 Sale Price / set
25% Off
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm
This mantel clock feat...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$8,093 Sale Price
30% Off
An ormolu mantel clock with Queen Victoria in medieval dress, by Monroux, 1843
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This fine and unusual mantel clock is a rare model produced in France for the British market. The case incorporates a finely cast and chased figure of a lady in medieval dress, almos...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Mathieu Planchon Belle Epoque French Cartel Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine late 19th century French Belle Epoque mounted bronze Dòre flame mahogany Cartel wall clock. The clock features a circular white enamel dial, which is inscribed with both Roman Numerals and Arabic Numbers. beautifully incised gilt hands and convex glass inscribed "Planchon A Paris".
Circa 1880
French
Mathieu Planchon apprenticed with his father, served several years with other clockmakers including Robert-Houdin and then went into business for himself eventually opening his shop at the Palais Royal in 1890. He was a skilled maker who was influenced by both earlier decorative trends and the ingenious clocks originally designed by Nicolas Grollier De Servierè that were illustrated in DeServierè’s catalog .
Antique cartel clocks...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock with Mythological Sculpture
Located in London, GB
Large Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock with mythological sculpture
French, late 19th century
Measures: height 58cm, width 46cm, depth 14cm
With large sculptural work depicting Jason and the Golden Fleece...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
$20,948 Sale Price
30% Off
French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze clock. This most decorative mantel clock is raised on Ormolu base with a bombee front display...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Ormolu
Marble Clock Set Retailed by Tiffany
Co
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and supremely refined large French Louis XVI style Ormolu and White Marble Clock Garniture, dating to the 19th century and proudly retailed by the esteemed Tiffany & C...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Period Portico Clock in Tulipwood, Fine Inlay, Ormolu Mounts-France, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Portico style French tulipwood clock with Boulle style fine inlays of mother-of-pearl and bronze. Eight day French movement with a grid-iron ormolu pendulum...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Louis XV Cartel D
applique
Located in Amersham, GB
This beautiful small cartel clock dates from the late 1760’s. This rare survivor is in excellent original condition, the large circular eight day movement strikes the hours on a bell...
Category
1760s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Steel, Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Ormolu Grandfather Clock
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine 19th century french Louis XV style ormolu-mounted mahogany grandfather clock, having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts, with three cherubs in clouds around the white and black en...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$43,529 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in
This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XVI Neo-Classical Style Figural Ormolu Clock by Charpentier
Cie
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This large and impressive clock is by the renown French Bronzier Lemerle Charpentier & Cie. It features Classical maidens holding a large urn form case surmounted by Cupid with his ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Antique Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Commemorating Napoleon Bonaparte
By LeRoy
Located in London, GB
This fine mantel clock is cast entirely in ormolu by celebrated Parisian clockmaker Leroy and commemorates the return of Napoleon's ashes to France in 1840. The clock is set on a rectangular, tiered base with four decorative feet. The lower tier is centred with a sleeping lion above a plaque showing the scarf, sword and hat of Napoleon. There is a relief plaque above the lion showing a ship off St Helena (the location of Napoleon's exile) and to either side further decorations formed as martial trophies. To the top of the plaque is a portrait medallion of Napoleon with winged cherubs and the letter 'N'. The circular dial of the clock, signed 'Leroy a Paris', is set to the centre above the base within an ormolu border and flanked by the figures of France and an eagle to either side. Between them they hold an urn, which bears the inscription 'Ste Helene / 5 Mai 1821'. The figure of France holds a flag inscribed 'France 1840.'
This clock was produced in 1840 by Parisian clockmaker Leroy et fils...
Category
1840s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$33,327 Sale Price
30% Off
A Louis XVI Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Marble Clock Garniture
By Jollet
Cie
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Marble Clock Garniture, Comprising a 'Pendule à Cercles Tournants' Modelled with the Three Graces and a Pair of Cherub Four-Light Cand...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Miniature Single Fusee Bracket Clock By William Johnston, Strand, London
By Johnson
Located in Amersham, GB
An extremely small single fusee bracket clock in a scalloped mahogany case. The eight day movement having a half deadbeat escapement with a T bar pendulum with hold fast, is beautifu...
Category
1830s English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Small Ormolu French Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Small French Ormolu Cartel clock in a finely decorated case.
Enamel dial with Roman numerals and original gilded hands.
Eight day Fr...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
One Piece Engraved Repeating Carriage Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
A fine early repeating carriage clock in an engraved one piece case. With a gilt engin turned mask, and a white enamel dial and roman numerals.
The gilded case is engraved with foliate scrollwork, the 8 day repeating movement with English lever platform escapement strikes on a gong, is regulated by a silvered english lever platform escapement, although unsigned this clock is of the highest quality and is likely to have been made by one of the great Parisian makers. The gong block is signed FD in an oval cartouche, this supplier was used by both Henri Jacot...
Category
1850s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Steel, Ormolu
French 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu wall clock, having Rococo influences to the scroll foliate decoration and cherubs above the eight day striking movement, circa 1880.
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Napoleon III Gilt
Patinated Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Clock, 19th century, of triangular form, the pink marble top surmounted by seated child, below the circular enameled dial with cherub s...
Category
19th Century European Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Neoclassical 18th Century Ormolu and Marble Lyre Clock
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical 18th Century ormolu and marble lyre clock
French, Louis XVI period
Height 64m, width 27cm, depth 12cm
This exquisite mantel clock was ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$9,046 Sale Price
30% Off
French Charles X miniature mantel clock of Cupid carrying time
Located in London, GB
Fabulous antique French Charles X miniature mantel clock of Cupid carrying off time. This has to be one of my all time favourite French Empire or Charles X period mantel clocks. Enti...
Category
1820s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire ormolu and bronze Pendule au Bon Sauvage clock signed Alibert
Located in London, GB
French Empire pendule au bon sauvage mantel clock in ormolu and bronze. The clock is in extremely good condition. Entirely original gilding. A particularly fine convex white enamel dial with Roman numerals. The figure with original white enamel eyes, sits on the case of the clock, foot resting on a barrel, and pipe in hand. To the other side of the clock rests a ships anchor. The back of the ormolu case is signed Alibert a Paris, for the maker. Tardy has Francois Alibert working in Paris, Rue J.J. Rouseau from 1812 -30 The clock driven by 30 hour chain fusee watch...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Gothic mantle clock with water automaton feature
Located in London, GB
Antique French Gothic mantle clock with water automaton feature. The Gothic case with patinated bronze against ormolu is typical of the period circa 1840. The ormolu is of fire/merc...
Category
1840s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Bronze and Porphyry Clock by Julien Le Roy, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
A magnificent 19th century French Louis XVI ormolu and patinated bronze mounted Porphyry clock with two reclining bronze cherubs playing a gilt harp. The movement made by Dargent Medallie Company with silk suspension. Signed by Julien Le Roy...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Porphyry, Bronze, Ormolu
Rare French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze portefaix clock signed Alibert
Located in London, GB
Extremely rare antique French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze portefaix mantel clock signed in the bronze Alibert with two tune musical base also signed Alibert. This model is bas...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Ormolu and White Marble Winged Cherub Clock
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Quality French Ormolu and White Marble Winged Cherub Clock.
Date: 19th century
Origin: French
Dimension: 25 1/2 in. high, 23 in. wide, 10 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Ormolu Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock, Paris, 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock, Paris, 1800.
The white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals is contained ...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$4,720 Sale Price
20% Off
Raingo Fres, Paris. Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and white marble mantel clock, having a central urn, flanked by Pan like figures each with hoof feet. Swags and drapes of foliag...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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
$8,093 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique French Orientalist Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This striking and highly detailed mantel clock is made entirely of ormolu, and is surmounted by the figure of an Eastern nobleman. He wears typical dress of his location and period: ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$7,141 Sale Price
30% Off
French Empire Clock
Located in Hudson, NY
A very finely cast gilt bronze clock depicting Psyche at her toilet. The reflective mirror of polished bronze and that each element is cast separately then screwed on is an excellent...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$5,150
English Minton Gilt Bronze
Bleu Céleste Jeweled Porcelain Garniture Clock Set
By Minton
Located in New York, NY
A Fine English Minton Bleu Céleste porcelain ground clock set consisting of a urn clock and two candlesticks with gilt bronze mounts of female mascrons and garlands, hand painted gol...
Category
19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
A Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
Located in New York, NY
A Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
A magnificent and large clock with gilt bronze Cupid mounted to the clock face. He is flanked by a painter's palette and a...
Category
Late 19th Century 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
Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany and Ormolu Longcase Clock, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany and ormolu longcase clock, circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze Mounted Malachite Turning Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze mounted malachite turning mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 75cm, width 28cm, depth 25.5cm
The malachite mantel clock case is st...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
$39,993 Sale Price
30% Off
French Champleve enamel clock set, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and champleve enamel clock set. The matching three brach candelabra with scrolling foliate rococo style decoration and bold...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Fine Sevres and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1870.
A fine late 19th century ormolu and porcelain mounted mantel clock, the painted dial above a courting couple scene, the whole mounted with a Krater vase and ra...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Single Fusee Carriage Timepiece By Thomas Cole and James Cole, Retailed By Hunt
Located in Amersham, GB
A miniature carriage clock timepiece by Thomas Cole and his brother James Fergusson Cole. The eight day single fusee movement with english lever escapement.
The case is decorated with the ‘Rose and Trellis’ pattern as seen on another of Coles clocks retailed by Edward Dent with the same handle and case construction ( JB Hawkins, “The Hawkins Pictorial Survey of Cole Clocks...
Category
1840s English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Steel, Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu mantel clock standing on a stepped base and resting on turned, chased feet with acanthus leaf decoration below a finely chased...
Category
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt-Bronze Cartel Clock and Barometer Set by Lerolle Frères
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze cartel clock and Barometer set by Lerolle Frères
French, c. 1860
Measures: Barometer: height 71cm, width 43cm, depth 15cm
Clock: height 7...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
$17,139 Sale Price / set
30% Off
French Ormolu Calendar Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French, 19th century gilded ormolu mantel clock with a calendar dial. Having pink Sevres porcelain panels. Foliate and ribbon decoration, the clock being an eight...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Gilded Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality, impressive 19th century French gilded ormolu and grey marble clock garniture. Having a large pair of five branch candelabra either side, support by classical mai...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Cherub clock set, by Deniere, Paris
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting and very good quality French 19th Century grey marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture, each piece with a patinated bronze cherub seated hold candle sticks either side...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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
$26,662 Sale Price
30% Off
Gilt bronze garniture set
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very fine gilt bronze Rococo style garniture set depicting frolicking cherubs and a satyr. The clock is 31 inches high and 24 inches wide. The candelabra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$75,000 / set
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful three-piece clock set is designed in a French neoclassical style, popular in 19th century decorative arts. The set has been crafted from clear, cut glass and fine gilt...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$9,046 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Fine American Gilt Bronze Standing Clock by Edward F. Caldwell
Co.
Located in New York, NY
Antique chased Ormolu clock case ornamented with hand pierced all over foliate pattern scrollwork, achieved through repousse and engraving, enclosing a p...
Category
Early 20th Century Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Sienna Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional quality early 19th century Sienna marble and ormolu mantle clock, the sienna marble case surmounted by an urn, raised on ormolu bun feet and a rectangular plinth steep...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Siena Marble, Ormolu
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Clock Set by Denière
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. The central mantel clock is formed of a rectangular gilt bronze mounted grey marble base. Raised on four gilt bronze ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$33,327 Sale Price / set
30% Off
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
$17,139 Sale Price
30% Off
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XV Style Mantel Clock
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique French 19th century mantel clock.
This exquisite mantel clock has a Sevres porcelain dial plate and other Sevres porcelain decorations.
The movement with spring suspension. ...
Category
1890s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A charming French 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture, having four ormolu cherubs supporting the urn clock a...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$10,202 / set
19th Century Louis XVI Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality Louis XVI gilt and patinated bronze figural mantel clock of Venus with cherubs.
Fine quality Louis XVI gilt and patinated bronze figural mantel clock of Venus with cher...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, 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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