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Material: Ormolu
French Napoleon III Ormolu and Porcelain Sided Mantel Clock in Four Glass Form
Located in London, GB
French Napoleon III ormolu and porcelain sided mantel clock in four glass form. The clock has fine jewelled porcelain panels on three sides including the full size dial. The porcelai...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III 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
A Napoleon III Period Sèvres Style Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large and Exceptional Napoleon III Period Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture. By Denière, Paris.
Comprising a mantle clock and pair of eight-light...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This magnificent five-piece clock set is designed in the style of 18th century porcelain produced by the famous Sèvres Manufactory in France. The set is comprised of a mantel clock, a pair of flanking vases—which double-up as candelabra—and two candlesticks. The five items are crafted from ‘bleu Sèvres’ (navy) colored porcelain, which has been finely parcel gilt, jewelled and painted, and mounted in gilt bronze (ormolu).
The mantel clock is composed of a circular porcelain dial, with a central painting of cherubs in flight, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white medallions. This is set within a gilt bronze bezel, crowned by a porcelain lidded urn, fitted with gilt bronze satyr head handles, draped with flower swags, and topped by a gilt bronze grape cluster finial. The clock case is supported on four porcelain columns, which are surmounted by a gilt bronze pinecone-tipped staff, draped with tasselled fabrics. A gilt bronze sculpture of a dancing Maenad (also called a Bacchante)—a female follower of the classical god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus (or Bacchus). The woman plays the tambourine and is accompanied by a putto. The clock is placed on a shaped gilt bronze base, with two projecting scrolled wings, decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and porcelain patera. The base is mounted with porcelain paintings of classical trophies, and putti within a gilt bronze cartouche frame. It is set on two gilt bronze feet, which are decorated with pointed porcelain covers and gilt bronze rosettes.
Depending on personal preference, the vases that accompany the clock can be left as they are or made to serve as candelabra. When vases, they are topped by porcelain domed lids, with gilt bronze grape finials. To turn the items into candelabra, these lids are replaced by gilt bronze covers. Each cover is fitted with six gilt bronze branches—five of which are scrolling and decorated with acanthus leaves, and one extends upwards in a straight line. These terminate in wide drip-pans and urn-shaped capitals. The porcelain vase bodies feature fine paintings of couples courting in garden settings, and they are fitted with gilt bronze cherub head...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$89,092 / set
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This large clock set, which is comprised of a mantel clock and pair of flanking candelabra, is designed in the style of Sèvres Porcelain manufactory goods. In the manner of Sèvres Po...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$61,691 / set
Important 19th Century French clock garniture by Deniere.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully impressive 19th Century French gilded ormolu clock garniture, by Deniere of Paris. The clock having a classical reclining maiden holding doves among flowers and foliage...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Louis XVI Style Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze and Jasperware Mounted Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer, After the Model Attributed to Pierre Gouthière.
The clock and barometer each surmounted by...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
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
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This truly stunning French mantel clock was crafted during the Empire period, and reflects the Neoclassical interests of the Emperor Napoleon I, whose influence over the decorative arts contributed toward a profound revival of beauties of the ancient empires.
The mantel clock is crafted entirely in gilt bronze, and features a stepped base on four block feet. The base depicts a Classical relief panel to the front, showing female dancing figures and putti, as well as musical instruments. Surmounting the base is an arch featuring a central mask fountain and basin...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sévres Porcelain, patinated Bronze and Ormolu
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sévres Porcelain, patinated Bronze and Ormolu garniture set. This stunning set consisting of a central clock and two ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
A Fine Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Three Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Three Piece Clock Garniture
Comprising a mantel clock and a pair of seven-light figural candelabra. Designed as a celebration of music and lyric poe...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Large Marble and Ormolu Clock Garniture
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Elegant antique clock garniture set, crafted from striking pink-veined marble and adorned with ornate gilded bronze details. This exquisite...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Twin Fusee mantel clock By William Payne
Located in Amersham, GB
A very fine English twin fusee mantel clock in the Rococo Revival taste. The eight-day movement strikes on a bell and features a heavy pendulum bob with top adjustment, suspended fro...
Category
1820s English Rococo Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Steel, Ormolu
Exceptional Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Grandfather Clock
Located in London, GB
Exceptional Louis XVI style gilt bronze and malachite grandfather clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 250cm, width 54cm, depth 33cm
This superb longcase clock is a wonderful example of the Belle Époque impetus to draw inspiration from the styles of the past. The clock, crafted during the late nineteenth century—though the malachite finish is later—is inspired by a famous eighteenth-century original. The clock is of traditional form, which a cubic clock case inset with an enamel dial and a gilt bronze bezel cast with signs of the zodiac. The central section of the clock includes a window, which reveals the pendulum inside, while the lower section is in the form of a plinth. The malachite veneer is wonderfully varied, with lighter and darker shades of the stone utilised to add visual interest. The clock is surmounted by a sculpture in gilt bronze of Apollo in his chariot, pulled by a quadriga of horses. The dial is signed for Rosel Bruxelles...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu and White Marble Louis XVI Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful classical clock made in the style of Louis XVI by Samuel Marti. Stunning ormolu (finely gilded bronze) mounted on a marble base. It is decorated with an inset laurel swag...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large Baroque Style Austrian Ormolu Mounted Musical Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Baroque style Austrian ormolu mounted musical clock
Austrian, early 19th Century
Total height: 211cm
Clock: Height 135cm, width 86cm, depth 52
Stand: Height 76cm, width 81c...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Pink Marble and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in London, GB
19th Century French pink marble and ormolu clock set
French, Late 19th Century
Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm
Candelabra: Height 44.5cm, width 22cm, depth 20cm
This unusual three-piece clock garniture combines stunning pink marble with ormolu classicised decoration. Featuring ornate pierced gilt brass hands, the porcelain dial of the mantel clock is framed with a floral motif that complements the tones of the marble. The clock is covered with elegant gilt-bronze classical decoration: surmounting the dial is an ormolu torch and laurel...
Category
Late 19th Century French Classical Greek Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
$16,447 / set
French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Sévres Porcelain and Ormolu clock set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Louis XV/XVI st. Sévres Porcelain and Ormolu garniture clock set. This stunning three piece set is comprised of two candela...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
A Louis XVI Style Mantel Fine Gilt-Bronze Clock by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Very Fine Gilt-Bronze Clock With A White Marble Base by François Linke.
The case signed 'Linke'.
This rare example of a clock by François Linke has a twin train eight-day mov...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Gilt Bronze Mounted Marine Themed Automaton Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mounted marine themed automaton mantel clock
French, circa 1850
Measures: With glass dome and base height 90 cm, width 70 cm, depth 33 cm
Clock without dome and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
An empire mantel clock "AU PORTEFAIX" after Jean andre reiche
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
MANTEL CLOCK "Au bon sauvage" or "PORTEFAIX",
late Empire, after a design by J.A. REICHE (Jean-Andre Reiche, 1752-1817), Paris, 19th century. Gilt ...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$9,000 Sale Price
40% Off
Baroque Style Bronze and Ormolu Cherub Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Baroque style bronze and ormolu cherub mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 69cm, width 35cm, depth 26.5cm
This dramatic a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful early 20th Century clock set with later lapis veneer will make a stunning Neoclassical style addition to a mantelpiece and a bold i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Neoclassical Style Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III Period neoclassical style three-piece clock set.
French, 19th century
Dimensions: Height 58cm, width 47cm, depth 19cm
Comprised of a mantel clock and two flanking c...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Rococo Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu Rococo influenced mantel clock, having wonderful scrolling foliate decoration, the clock face having enamel Roman numerals, an e...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 18th Century Coromandel and Ormolu Grandfather Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent large scale French 18th century Coromandel and ormolu Grandfather Clock, by André Furet. This very unique and high quality clock is raised by rectangular base with a li...
Category
18th Century French 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
Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris
Located in Montreal, QC
This mantle clock is by a well-respected Paris maker in a fashionable style. The oval base supports a vase shaped clock case in turn supported by winged dolphin heads and flanked by ...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th century Charles X Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu garniture set
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Charles X Period Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu garniture set. This wonderful garniture set consists of a clock and pair of urns, raised ...
Category
19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Stunning Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Boudoir Antique French Clock
By Richard
Co.
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A fine and stunning original antique French boudoir clock. It is beautifully made of ormolu (finely gilded bronze), very well modelled and chased, and mounted with exquisite Sèvres s...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Cartel Clock of Venus with Cherubs
By Jacques Caffieri
Located in London, GB
Antique French cartel clock of Venus with cherubs
French, Late 19th Century
Height 120cm, width 55cm, depth 20cm
This remarkable cartel clock is inspired by an 18th-century desi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Onyx, Marble, Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
This colorful pedestal clock has been crafted from fine red marble and green onyx, and beautifully decorated with gilt bronze (ormolu) and champlevé enamel. While a popular crafts material in ancient times, onyx was largely forgotten about until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century in Algeria by a French marble-worker called Delmonte. Onyx became highly fashionable in France following this discovery, and it was used to create a variety of decorative art objects.
The clock features a green onyx cube-shaped case, which is surmounted by a slightly projecting red marble top. This top is fringed with champlevé enamel drapery-like motifs, with gilt bronze drop-finials. The case is mounted on its front with a circular dial, which features a central floral champlevé enamel motif, encircled by black Arabic Numerals. This dial is set within a gilt bronze egg-and-dart and champlevé enamel bezel. The sides of the case are mounted with circular gilt bronze barometers...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Five Piece Clock Set
Located in Queens, NY
An Exceptional French Japonisme Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Five-Piece Clock Set, In the Manner of Edouard Lièvre, circa 1870, Paris.
This extraordinary French Japonisme clock set, ...
Category
19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
The contrast between rich blue enamel, in light and dark hues, and bright gilt bronze gives this carriage clock a sumptuous, luxurious feel. With a t...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French, Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu clock garniture, the clock having a classical urn finial with garlands, ribbons and foliate decoration. The white ename...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Cloisonne Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exceptionally detailed clock set consists of a mantel clock and a pair of accompanying vases, which are all crafted in ormolu and extensively decorated in vibrant cloisonné enam...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Antique Cloisonne Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful cloisonne enamel clock set is an artful piece of design in the neoclassical style: each piece is elaborately applied with turquoi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
$16,447 / set
Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set by Raingo Frères and Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze three-piece clock set by Raingo Frères and Henri Picard
This exceptional 19th century clock set comprises of three pieces crafted from gilt bronze: a central mantel cl...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th century Louis XVI st. Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Clock, by Denière
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock, by Jean Francois Denière. This stunning clock is raised by four O...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XV Clock, 1750s Paris Ormolu
Patinated, Pendule à lÉléphant; by Godefroy
Located in New York, NY
A remarkable example of mid-1700's French horology, this Louis XV period Pendule à l’Éléphant showcases the technical mastery and playful elegance characteristic of the Rococo era in...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Sevres Porcelain Table Clock
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING ON OUR COLLECTION
OVAL SHAPE TABLE CLOCK WITH BRASS BRACKET
From our European Ceramics collection, we are delighted to offer this Sevres Style Porcelain Tab...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Belle Époque Period Gilt Bronze and Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Belle Époque period gilt bronze and enamel clock set
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: Height 46cm, width 23cm, depth 15cm
Vases: Height 29cm, diameter 11.5cm
Candlestic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
$38,378 / set
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Enamel Miniature Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze and enamel miniature carriage clock
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 11cm, width 5.5cm, depth 5cm
Case: ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid carrying time by Le Roy Hr du Roi
Located in London, GB
A Fine Ormolu mantle Clock after a Design by Thomire. This theme is constantly repeated during the Directoire & Empire period. Thomire is known to have used this model. The quality ...
Category
1810s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Porcelain, champlevé enamel, and gilt-bronze Rococo style three-piece clock set
Located in London, GB
Porcelain, champlevé enamel, and gilt-bronze Rococo style three-piece clock set
French, Late 19th Century
Clock: height 38cm, width 23cm, depth 16cm
Vases: height 28cm, width 13cm, d...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Enamel, Onyx, and Gilt Bronze Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style enamel, onyx, and gilt bronze pedestal clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 125cm, width 36cm, depth 30cm
This beautiful pedestal clock has...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Empire Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 23.5cm, depth 11cm
This mantel clock was finely crafted in the Empire period, wrought from ormolu and a later malachite veneer.
The design of the clock is based on classical architecture. It features a malachite entablature—with an ormolu pierced mount to the front—which is supported on four ormolu bun feet. The malachite column shafts are smooth and each culminate in a capital, supporting the malachite top. Between the columns, there is a drum clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French gilt bronze and enamel three-piece clock set
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and enamel three-piece clock set
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 45cm, width 26cm, depth 14.5cm
Candelabra: Height 31.5cm, width 21cm, depth 9cm
This char...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel
$20,563 / set
Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer Set by Gleizes
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze and Tortoiseshell Clock and Barometer set by Gleizes
French, 19th Century
Height 115cm, width 30cm, depth 7cm
In the Louis XV style, t...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XV Ormolu Mntd. Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Elephant Clock w/ Snail
Located in New York, NY
An Exceptionally Rare 18th Century Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Elephant, Snail, and Flower Mantel Clock. The clock drum is painted with floral reserves on a yellow-ground porcelain case, surmounted by a seated monkey modeled in cream-glazed porcelain. The dial is inscribed “MILLOT / Her DU ROY,” referring to the Parisian clockmaker Millot, horloger du roi, and retains its original single-barrel movement with platform lever escapement. The interior of the case bears a stamped “B.” The entire composition is supported by a scrolling structure of polychrome porcelain flowers mounted on ormolu branches, leading to a central Meissen figure seated on a saddled elephant, positioned on an elaborately cast gilt bronze rocaille base.
The composition centers around a chinoiserie theme, which was highly fashionable in mid-18th century France, particularly during the reign of Louis XV. In this example, the chinoiserie elements are expressed through the seated porcelain figure in Chinese dress, riding atop a caparisoned elephant with a vibrantly painted red and gold saddle and bright yellow cushion. The elephant, modeled with expressive naturalism, features finely detailed ears, trunk, and legs in Meissen’s distinctive hand-painted porcelain, with further ornamentation in applied gilding. Surrounding the central figure and timepiece is an elaborate framework of metal branches issuing dozens of individually modeled porcelain blossoms. These include peonies, roses, and tulips in various stages of bloom, each petal uniquely hand-shaped and painted in hues of lilac, ivory, pink, and violet, with naturalistic green leaves extending outward on slender bronze stems.
The gilt bronze mount is executed in the Rococo taste, with asymmetrical shell forms, Snails, C-scrolls, and foliate scrollwork typical of French bronze work from the Louis XV period. The ormolu is mercury-gilded, a process common in the 18th century which involved the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury to the surface of the bronze, followed by firing to vaporize the mercury. This technique created a matte yet luminous surface, prized for its depth and lasting quality. The ormolu is cast in a deeply three-dimensional style, with scrolled feet and boldly molded foliate ornaments that cradle the base of the Meissen elephant...
Category
18th Century German Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The combination of sumptuous, lustrous ormolu and finely decorated Sevres style porcelain makes this mantel clock an exceptional piece. Built in France and retailed by the prestigiou...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Onyx and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
The white onyx and gilt bronze three-piece set consists of a central clock, accompanied by two six-light candelabra. The three items were crafted in the 19th century, during the reig...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
$61,679 / set
Large Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Marble Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
The large and elegant antique French Empire style bronze and marble figural clock features a rectangular stepped base of dark green marble, raised on four gilt bronze feet cast with ...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
A Monumental and Exceptional French Ormolu and Turquoise Sevres Porcelain Clock
Located in Queens, NY
A Monumental and Exceptional French Ormolu and Turquoise Sevres Porcelain Clock, circa 1875
Immerse yourself in the splendor of 19th-century French artistry with this monumental and...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$48,750 Sale Price
35% Off
French Louis XVI style mantel clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French gilded ormolu and white marble, 19th Century Louis XVI style mantel clock, with a classical maiden resting, a bird cage at her feet, a cherub holding a bow and ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer, Attributed to Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
This stunning gilt bronze clock and barometer pair was created in circa 1860 in France. The two have been attributed to Raingo Frères, the prestigious, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Louis XVI Blue Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Clock, Circa 1875-85
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XVI Blue Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Mounted Clock, circa 1875-85.
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI style, Mantel Clock 17"(43cm)
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu mantel clock. Having a cherub playing a base violin, a four glass case mounted with ormolu foliate and swag decoration, an eight...
Category
19th Century 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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