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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
19th Century French marble and ormolu clock garniture.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting French 19th Century white marble and gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a mother and childly the white enamel clock face, striking on the hour and half hour on a bel...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris
Located in London, GB
Superb quality French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock in a beautifully restrained case. The casting and gilding of the finest quality. A classically dressed maiden st...
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Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality gilt bronze and porcelain figural mantel clock. The figure of a maiden placing a garland of flowers over the cherub’s head. Origin: French Date: circa 1880 Dimen...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

A Japonisme Gilt-Bronze and Brass Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
A Japonisme gilt-bronze and brass three-piece clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: height 52cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm Candelabra: height 55cm, width 32cm, depth 9cm Made in F...
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Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Fine 19th Century French Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock with Marble Case
Located in Worcester, GB
Fine 19th Century French Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock with Marble Case A finely cast French mantel clock dating to the third quarter of the 19th century, in the Louis XVI revival s...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Enamel Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful quality late 19th century French Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and Champlevé enamel clock garniture, the clock having a two handled turquoise enamel urn with swags above ...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by most elegant scroll acanthus leaves centering a beautiful foliate reserve. ...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Portique Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu Portique clock, signed "Tiffany'. Raised by a marble base with ormolu topie shaped supports. Above are two columns decorated by finely chased floral ormolu mounts. The columns are flanked by two fluted tapering ormolu design elements. The enamel dial has a foliate garland at the center and ormolu pendulum. At the top crown is an ormolu floral basket with two lovebirds...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU BUST OF HOMER After the Antique The bearded bust of Homer on a rectangular clock decorate with lyres and gryphon heads on the side
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

English Victorian Ormolu Horseshoe Clock in Original Box
Located in London, GB
An English ormolu horseshoe clock in the manner of Thomas Cole. Small 3/4 plate movement with dust covers to rear for wind, adjust and regulate. Fine original silvered bronze dial wi...
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1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Very Fine Ormolu and Sèvres-style Porcelain Calendar Mantel Clock
By Charles Oudin
Located in London, GB
Very fine ormolu and Sèvres-style porcelain calendar mantel clock French, 19th Century Measures: Height 43cm, width 31cm, depth 16cm In a similar style to pieces by the famed and leading clockmaking firm of the late nineteenth century, Charles Oudin...
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19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu, Bronze and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, patinated bronze and Brèche Violette marble clock. The clock is raised by a square marble base with cut corners and a mottled...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Bronze and Ormolu Clock, 19th Century, French, Silk Suspension Striking
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French bronze and ormolu eight day silk suspension striking clock contained in ornate case surmounted by well-cast and gadrooned urn...
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Early 19th Century French Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble and Finely Chased Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. marble and finely chased ormolu clock. The clock is raised on six ormolu topie shaped feet below the white Carrara marble base with scrolled foliate ormolu mounts and beaded border. Perched above is a charming winged cherub holding up an arrow. At each side are lovely ormolu maidens draped in classic attire with their flowing hair, holding up a floral wreath. Centered is the ormolu clock with paw feet fluted and scrolled designs at the base and swaging foliate garland. Above the enamel dial is decorated with a winged cherub bust...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French Mid-19th Century, Louis XVI St. Ormolu and White Carrara Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most exquisite French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by topie shaped ormolu supports, The rectangular marble base is deco...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

A Diminutive Bracket Clock by Adams of Lombard Street
Located in Amersham, GB
A rosewood and ormolu mounted bracket clock. With an eight day twin fusee movement, signed Adams of Lombard Street on the 5 inch silvered dial and movement back plate. Striking on a ...
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Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, 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...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Porphyry, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. White Carrara Marble Garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu mounted on white Carrara marble clock Garniture set. The three piece set includes a pair of two arm candelabras ormolu mounted with beads and C scrolled arms. The clock is ornamented with ormolu laurel garlands and an urn of prosperity above. The whole is raised on four marble columns...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Very Large Antique Louis XV Style Mantel Clock by Beurdeley and Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
Very large antique Louis XV style mantel clock by Beurdeley and Raingo Frères French, Late 19th Century Height 98cm, width 49cm, depth 24cm This magnificent Louis XV style mantel cl...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This ormolu (gilt bronze) mantel clock is a stunning piece of design, which features beautiful neoclassical style low-relief decorations and three-dimensional sculptures. The clock takes the form of a tall rectangular case with a circular white enamel dial near its top. This dial features black Roman Numerals and the maker’s signature, ‘Robin/ à Paris’. The dial is displayed behind a glass lens within a foliate bezel. The case is decorated in its upper corners with rosettes, and in the lower section with a stylised depiction of a swan. The case is topped by a sculpture of a wreath, propped up on a roll of paper or parchment. To the left of the case, there is a full-length statue of a man who wears a classical robe and holds a mirror. A lyre leans against the right side of the case. The clock is set on a wide rectangular base which is decorated with a low-relief scene taken from the classical myth of Dido and Aeneas...
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Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Early and Fine Bronze, Ormolu and Specimen Marble Clock with Cupid
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large, fine and exquisite, early antique French clock depicting cupid holding a sharpened golden arrow. It is of stunning quality and fully serviced and tested by our clockmakers. ...
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Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Cartel Clock Signed F.Lesage Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Louis XIV st. tortoiseshell, brass and ormolu Cartel Clock signed F.Lesage Paris. The beautiful clock is raised on its orig...
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19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th Century Louis XVI-Styl Ormolu and White Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Fine Louis XVI-Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Mantel Clock After a model by Étienne-Maurice Falconet The urn-form pendule à cercles t...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Grandfather Clock
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Late 19th century French Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted parquetry longcase grandfather clock. Surmounted an ormolu figure of a classical seated lady holding a globe, circa ...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Period Neoclassical Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI period neoclassical ormolu and malachite mantel clock French, Late 18th Century Measures: Height 53cm, width 36cm, depth 14cm Encaps...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Large Louis XVI Style Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive, good quality 19th century French Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and bronze clock set. Having a mother and child mounted above the clock, which has an eight day...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A Rare 18th C. French Dore Bronze Clock w/ Putti Musician, Att. Robert Osmond
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent and Rare French 18th-Century Doré Bronze Mantel Clock Attributed to Robert Osmond. The clock is designed in the form of an urn, supported by a central pedestal and a re...
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1750s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Directoire or Empire Clock with Cupid Riding a Dog
Located in London, GB
Magnificent and very rare French Directoire or Empire clock in patinated bronze and the finest highly worked ormolu. Set upon toupee feet below a rectangular ormolu base with applied...
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1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock was crafted in circa 1870 in France. Known as a carriage clock, it was designed for use when travelling. Such clocks were crafted on a small scale with handles, ...
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Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Mantel Clock and Candelabra of Gilt Bronze and Blue ‘Sèvres’ Porcelain
Located in London, GB
A Good French mantel clock garniture By Charles Oudin, Paris The garniture comprising a clock and two candelabras, constructed in gilt bronze and ‘Se...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Aurora in Her Chariot Pulled by Her Winged
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire Ormolu mantel clock of a chariot drawn by two winged horses carrying the chariot with a female figure. Thi...
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Early 1800s French Empire 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...
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Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1880 A fine French, gilt bronze ormolu mantel clock with its porcelain face, the case with elaborate garland decorations culminating in a volute krater of flowers ab...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Late 19th Century Louis XVI St. Patinated Bronze And Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu clock. The clock in the shape of the Urn of Prosperity is raised by a square base with concave corners a...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Turquoise Sèvres Style Jeweled Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
A high quality gilt bronze and Turquoise Sèvres style jeweled Porcelain clock set. The clock surmounted by a covered urn and flanked by lion masks on each side, en suite with a pair of painted turquoise porcelain vases...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Industrial Series Marine small deskset of clock, barometer and thermometer
Located in London, GB
A very rare antique Industrial Series Marine deskset or compendium of clock, barometer and thermometer within an anchor and of small size.. Set upon an ormolu and rouge marble rectan...
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1880s English Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu and enamel Ceres mantel clock after Thomire. French, c.1810 Measures: height 46cm, width 38cm, depth 13cm. This superb mantel clock was made in the First Fr...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Large 19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Clock Set, by Deniere, Paris
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive 19th century gilded ormolu and bronze Louis XVI style clock garniture, having a reclined classical lady reading, next to a white enamel clock face with an eigh...
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19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Clock Set Marble Champleve Garniture Belle Epoque 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French three-piece clock set embellished with marble and ormolu mounts together with champlevé enamel Circa 1880 In full working order with mercury pendulum Bought from a de...
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1880s French Provincial Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Sevres Style Figural Garniture Clock Set
Located in Tarzana, CA
This excuisite 3-piece 19th century French ormolu mounted porcelain clock set comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The clock in urn shape form over a gilt br...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century Louis XVI Cartel Clock By Le Nepveu
By Nicolas-Antoine Le Nepveu
Located in Amersham, GB
A rare 18th century ormolu cartel clock by Nicolas-Antoine Le Nepveu a Paris . This exceptional Cartel clock in a gilt bronze or Ormolu case still with its original mechanism. The 8 ...
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18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

French Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock + Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality mid 19th Century French gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantel clock with a matched pair of classical five brach candelabra, with putti supporting cornucopia. The c...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Restauration Period Gilt Bronze and Cut-Glass Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This antique French mantel clock is crafted from ornate gilt bronze and gilttering cut-glass and dates from the early 19th century. The clo...
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Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Bourdin À Paris Figural Ormolu Mantel Clock, circa 1890
By Bourdin
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental Bourdin French figural gilt bronze mantel clock, depicting two women seated on the plinth with garland decoration and a c...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Charles X Ormolu and Paris Porcelain Clock
Located in London, GB
A FINE CHARLES X ORMOLU AND PARIS PORCELAIN CLOCK, THE ORMOLU ATTRIBUTED TO JEAN FRANCOIS DENIERE, CIRCA 1830. The dial signed Bourdon Hr du Roi...
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19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Sévres Porcelain And Ormolu Annular Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sévres porcelain and Ormolu annular clock. The clock is raised by a square Ormolu base with a Coeur de Rai border des...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Silvered Bronze Clock Set Depicting Hebe Jupiter s Eagle by Charpentier Co
Located in London, GB
In classical mythology, Hebe, the personification of youth, is also cupbearer to the gods. She is the daughter of Juno and Jupiter (represented here by his eagle). Seated between his wings, she is holding the oinochoe (wine pitcher) in one arm while with her free hand she gracefully offers him divine nectar known as ambrosia, a drink which reinforced the Olympians' immortality. The three-piece clock garniture centred around the large silvered bronze figural group after the original by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, supported on a gilt-bronze mounted onyx clock base, denoting the hours in Roman numerals, the central clock flanked by a pair of silvered and gilt bronze female figures in neoclassical garb, their amphoras issuing five scrolling candleholders...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu

French Directoire Egyptian Style Mantel Clock Signed Leclerc
Located in London, GB
Beautiful antique French Directoire period Egyptian or Gout d'Egypt ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Superb quality and condition of the entir...
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1790s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

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...
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1810s Belgian Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Early 19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu 8 Day Mantle Clock
Located in London, GB
An early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu 8-Day striking Clock with silver dial (stamped Douon on inner plate and one spring dated 1824) mounted in unusual bronze & ormolu case depicting centurion slaying dragon...
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19th Century French Regency Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Venus and Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock with Venus and Cupid French, early 19th Century Measures: Height 53cm, width 37.5cm, depth 13.5cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The clock includes a sculptural surmount of Venus accompanied by Cupid. Venus sits atop the square clock...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Biscuit De Sèvres Garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. Biscuit de Sèvres garniture clock set. The set has a pair of urns of prosperity with two cherubs on eac...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sèvres porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine topie shaped feet below the ormolu base which is decorated with elegant...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer by Henry Vian
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer By Henry Vian after Jean-Charles Delafosse Henry Vian after Jean-Charles Delafosse The tops with a...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Mantel Clock of Empire Period of "Borne" Form
Located in London, GB
Attractive french Empire clock in patinated bronze and ormolu of milestone or "borne" form. Having very fine applied ormolu mounts to the front and side of the case with also a fine ...
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1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Louis Xvith Period Lyre Clock
Located in London, GB
A very attractive Louis XVIth period French antique mantel clock of lyre form. Set on four shaped feet the sharp ended oval base with inset ormol...
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1780s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Neoclassical Style Circular Movement Mantel Clock by Leroy Cie
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style circular movement mantel clock by Leroy & Cie French, circa 1880 Measures: Height 72cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm This superb mantel clock, crafted from white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze—takes the shape of an Amphora vase form case above a cylindrical stem and a circular foot, the stem and foot ornamented with classicising gilt bronze mounts. The foot of the vase sits on an architecturally formed plinth, which is decorated with inset gilt bronze relief panels...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Cobalt Blue Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. cobalt blue porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by a square ormolu base with cut corners with fine rosettes ...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Napoleon III mantel clock in ormolu and pink porcelain
Located in London, GB
A most attractive French porcelain and ormolu mantel clock with a profusion of porcelain panels. The original gilding is in excellent condition and there are lovely silver highlights...
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1870s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

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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