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Ormolu Clocks

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Material: Ormolu
19th Century Sèvres Style Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Figural Clockset
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality 19th century Sèvres ormolu-mounted porcelain clockset. Origin: French Date: 19th century Dimension: Clock: 25 in high; Urns: 24 in high.
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French White Marble Clock Retailed by Tiffany, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Remarkable 19th century French Louis XVI style ormolu mounted white marble clock with love birds. Retailed by Tiffany. The clock is surmounted...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Enamel

Very Large Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
Very large Louis XV style gilt bronze mantel clock by Beurdeley French, circa 1880 Measures: Height 102cm, width 48cm, depth 29cm This very large mantel clock...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Japonisme Mantel Clock with Floral Champlevé Enamel
Located in London, GB
Antique French Japonisme mantel clock with floral Champlevé enamel French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 51cm, width 27.5cm, depth 22cm Beautifully wrought from patinated bronze and champlevé enamel, this mantel clock is designed in the Japonisme style. The style was popular in 19th Century Europe following the opening of Japan to trade and cultural exchange. The clock stands on four cabriole feet, with a pierced Japanese style apron to the bottom. The central case is stepped, with the main section of rectangular profile, and mounted with pierced patinated bronze vines...
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Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Neoclassical Style French Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style French malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 30cm, depth 15cm This neoclassical Louis XVI style mant...
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Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting late 19th century French gilded ormolu and marble mantel clock, depicting cherubs playing, one chasing a young girl, the other hiding amongst a wreath and foliage. The ...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of French 18th Century Louis XV Period Cartel Clock and Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and large scale pair of French 18th century Louis XV period cartel clock and barometer signed Le Roy & Cie, Paris. Each ormolu case has a exquisite a symmetrical design with scrolled foliate movements amidst richly chased branches and flowers. At the center are the original enameled dials one being the clock and the other being the barometer. Each dial is surrounded by an ormolu lattice design while above are period scenes of a gentleman courting a maiden. The young man stands above the young maiden playing a flute while she sits below reading the sheet music. Two sheep seem to be enjoying themselves listening to the music being played. Julien Le Roy (1686-1759) was a major 18th-century Parisian clockmaker and watchmaker. Born in Tours in 1686, by the age of 13, he had already made his first clock. In 1699, he moved to Paris further training. He became maitre horloger in 1713 and later juré of his guild. Further appointments followed, including the Directorship of the Société des Arts, but the pinnacle of his achievement was being appointed clockmaker (Horloger Ordinaire du Roi) toking Louis XV in 1739. He carried on his business from Rue du Harlay until his death in 1759. His son Pierre Le Roy...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th century French Empire Period Elm Barometer signed Gabriel
Located in London, GB
Empire Cistern Barometer by Gabriel Of rectangular form, with the case waisted, veneered in burr elm with mounts in the manner of Percier and Fontaine, of cistern type, with bronze ...
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19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Exceptional Late 19th Century Three-Piece Clock Set by Ferdinand Gervais
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional late 19th century gilt bronze-mounted marble three-piece clock set By Ferdinand Gervais The lyre shaped case surrounded with bronze roses, acanthus and lilys, a ...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Long Case Clock, 1860, by Balthazar, Paris
By André Balthazar 1
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pendulum clock "Regulateur de parquet" after Jean-Henri Riesener Napoleon III, Paris, circa 1850-1880. Balthazar, Paris. This fine quality late...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze, Rouge Marble and Jewelled Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This majestic three-piece clock set is truly a sight to behold, and features beautifully contrasting rouge marble, gilt bronze and glittering jewels. The set comprises a central cloc...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece clock and candelabra set is formed of malachite and is fitted with gilt and patinated bronze mounts. The malachite base of th...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Louis XV Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
Designed in a fanciful Louis XV style, this beautiful mantel clock takes the form of an Asian elephant, saddled with a howdah (carriage). The clock features a patinated sculpture of ...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Marble Mantel Clock Apollo Sunburst Pendulum Key
Located in New York, NY
A refined and authentic Louis XVI period mantel clock, that still chimes, this exceptional late-18th-century timepiece features an elegant white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, sus...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Le Roy et fils
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Le Roy et fils French, c. 1810 Height 36cm, width 37cm, depth 14cm This refined mantel clock was created during the Empire period by the esteem...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Enamel

Large Antique Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Deverberie
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt-bronze mantel clock by Deverberie French, c.1805 Measures: Height 67cm, width 54cm, depth 19cm This exceptional timepiece was made in Empire period Fr...
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Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble, Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock
By Jean A. Rennes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble, ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Jean, A Rennes. The clock is raised by four fine topie s...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Neo-Gothic antique three piece ormolu clock set
Located in London, GB
The central clock with dial to the center, displaying hours in individual plaques in Roman numerals and five minute intervals engraved into the ormolu case in Arabic numerals, the ca...
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19th Century French Gothic Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Japanese Imari Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains three pieces: namely, a mantel clock and a pair of flanking candelabra. The mantel clock is designed about a Japanese porcelain vase, known as Imari ware. This white ground vase, painted in reds and blues and ornamented with foliate forms, functions as the clock case, the dial centrally mounted and encompassed by Rococo style gilt bronze motifs. This vase is supported by a gilt bronze base, which is profusely ornamented with gilt bronze acanthus leaves, garlands, and, most distinctly, a pair of putti. The vase is mounted with lion head handles to each side, also of gilt bronze, while the lid of the vase is topped by a gilt bronze finial in the form of a putto. The candelabra are similarly decorated and of similar construction, each one being built about a smaller Imari...
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Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Antique Clock, Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble
By L. Ravrio 1
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality of borne shape constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. The dial of the clock is signed "L Ravrio" below 1...
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Early 1800s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Louis XVI style ormolu clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite 19th-century French clock set features a stunning combination of gilded ormolu and verde marble. The centerpiece clock is elegantly adorned with intricate gilded detai...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

A most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Onyx and Ormolu mantel clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A unique and most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Onyx and Ormolu mantel clock. This exceptional clock themed around the classical art is raised on ball feet below a two...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Ormolu

Rare 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu and White Marble Inclined Plane Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An extremely rare Louis XVI mantel clock 'a cremaillere', a movement driven by its own weight, where the moving drum barrel is running down an inclined whi...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Sevres style clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th Century Louis XVI Sevres style clock garniture. Having reclining maidens with garlands of flowers supporting an urn ...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This wonderfully ornate gilt bronze mantel clock is covered with fine sculptural decoration, including female busts, architectural motifs and stylized foliage. With its wealth of cla...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Grandfather Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and extremely high quality French mid-19th century Louis XV st. kingwood, tulipwood, and ormolu grandfather clock. The clock is raised by a fine scalloped shaped kingwo...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in Orientalist Motif
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in "Orientalist" Motif, circa 1850, a romantic movement/Orientalist ormolu clock with ornate baroque case surmounted by an Arabic rider on rearing steed, with sabre drawn overhead, an enamel dial with Roman numerals, bell-strike mechanism by F.L. Hausburg, Paris, and marked on dial "Medaille d'Argent, Vincenti and Cie...
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Mid-19th Century French Moorish Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Unusual Ormolu and Porcelain Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking vases, the clock with central dial set in a panel of porcelain imitating champlevé enamel with geometric design on turquoise ground...
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Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Charles X Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, and Gilt Bronze Figurative Clock
Located in London, GB
French Charles X malachite, lapis lazuli, and gilt bronze figurative clock French, c. 1830 Measures: Height 75cm, width 53cm, depth 23cm This fine mantel clock is a superb example of the Charles X style. The clock, wrought from malachite, lapis lazuli, and gilt bronze, features the distinctive feature of most Charles X period clocks: a large sculptural surmount. In the present clock, the sculptural surmount depicts Urania, Greek muse of astronomy. She is accompanied by a lapis lazuli globe...
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1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Parquetry Standing Clock by Kahn in the Régence Style
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and parquetry standing clock by Kahn in the Régence style French, early 20th century Measures: Height 262cm, width 62cm, depth 17cm This beaut...
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Early 20th Century French Régence Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. Unusually, the clock and candelabra are constructed entirely of gilt bronze. The bronze dial of the mantel clock is i...
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Late 19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Lyre Form Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
The exquisite and fine set comprises a central lyre-form mantel clock and a pair of matching candelabra, all constructed in white marble mounted with gilt bronze. The clock’s lyre-sh...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

French 18th Century Louis XV Period Tortoiseshell and Ormolu Boulle Cartel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large and important French 18th century Louis XV period Tortoiseshell and ormolu Boulle cartel clock signed Le Faucheur, A Paris. The clock is ra...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Charles X Ormolu French Mantel Clock Surmounted by Lion
Located in London, GB
A French antique Charles X period ormolu mantel clock. The ormolu in excellent original condition and the case of very heavy, dense construction. All parts are beautifully cast. The ...
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1830s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock French, c.1825 Height 36cm, width 18.5m, depth 10.5cm Set within a beautiful porcelain case, parcel gilt, and flor...
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Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Louis XVI style gilded clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite French 19th-century clock set features a striking rouge marble base adorned with elegant gilded ormolu accents. The centerpiece showcases a detailed bronze statue of a...
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Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

A French 19th century Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, by Mathieu Planchon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most delightful and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, signed by Mathieu Planchon. This stunning clock is raised by six finely ch...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

KPM Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Rococo Style Clock Set
Located in London, GB
KPM porcelain and gilt bronze Rococo style clock set German, late 19th century Measures; Clock on base: Height 51cm, width 36cm, depth 17cm Candelabra: Height 47cm, width 27cm, de...
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Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Museum Quality French Marble And Ormolu Clock circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lovely clock is in good running order. It was retailed by Bigelow Kennard in Boston, MA.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Giant Rouge Marble Carriage Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This oversized 'Carriage clock' in an xquisite rouge marble case with gilded mounts and handle, has an eight day movement with english lever platform escapement striking on a bell. T...
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1870s French Late Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Ormolu

A Large Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Cobalt Blue Ground Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Garniture. Comprising a mantle clock and a pair of vases and covers. The mantel clock modelled w...
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19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Period Gilt Bronze Mounted Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI period gilt bronze mounted malachite clock French, late 18th century Measures: Height 50cm, width 34.5cm, depth 13.5cm This fine mantel clock was produced during the e...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

French Monumental Version of Psyche and Cupid in Rouge Marble, Patinated Bronze
Located in London, GB
Magnificent monumental version of the iconic clock depicting Psyche and Cupid. This verson dating from circa 1820-1830 is by JB Marchand a re-knowned bro...
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1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Byzantine Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Garniture by Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
Byzantine style gilt bronze and champlevé enamel clock garniture by Raingo Frères French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 55cm, width 34cm, depth 25cm Candelabra: Height 67cm, width 31cm, depth 28cm The present clock set is by Raingo Frères, one of nineteenth-century France’s leading producers of luxury clocks...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Large Empire Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1820-1830. A large-scale early 19th century bronze and gilt bronze mantel clock, the clocks hunting theme, featuring three different scenes. The bronze Diana...
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1820s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
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1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Michel-François Piolaine
By Michel-François Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive gilt bronze mantel clock is by the French Michel-François Piolaine. The clock body is raised by an architecturally formed, plinth-shaped base, set to the fr...
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Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Louis XVI Architectural Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI architectural gilt bronze and malachite clock French, late 18th century Measures: Height 53cm, width 35.5cm, depth 11cm Crafted from ormolu and a later malachite venee...
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Bell Top Bracket Clock
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
An 18th century mahogany and ormolu mounted bell top bracket clock. The 8-day movement with finely engraved back plate and the full brass dial signed Pennington, Drury Lane Circa 178...
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Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

A French 19th century Belle Epoque Period marble and Ormolu clock garniture set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock garniture set. This stunning garniture set consists of a cl...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France. A French mantle in gilt bronze decorated with neoclassical symbols ...
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19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Sevres Style Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and Sevres style porcelain mantel clock. Having a blue porcelain urn to the top with ormolu swags, scrolling gilded ormolu folia...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Ormolu and Porcelain Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive late 19th century French gilded ormolu and cobalt blue porcelain urn clock set, the clock having seated putti holding garl...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Egyptian Revival Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set is designed in the Egyptian Revival style, which was in vogue in Europe and America in the 19th century. The fashion was kick-started by Emperor Napoleon I’s campaign in Egypt in 1798-1799. This led to the publication of ‘Le Description de l’Égypte’ (The Description of Egypt) in 1809 (and a second edition in 1830), which documented various aspects of Egyptian culture, including the pyramids, antiquities, ancient and modern buildings, Egyptian clothing...
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19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Louis XV Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock by Balthazar
By Michel Baltazar
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock beautifully illustrates the classical myth of ‘The Abduction of Europa’. In this story, the god Zeus falls in love with a mortal woman called Europa. To seduce her, Zeus transforms himself into a white bull. Europa then mounts the bull and Zeus whisks her away from her home to Crete. Europa becomes the Queen of Crete and bears Zeus several children. The clock takes the form of a patinated bronze bull which is saddled with a gilt bronze (ormolu) clock case. This case features a circular white enamel dial with black Roman and Arabic Numerals, as well as the maker’s name ‘Michel Baltazar...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

Restauration Gilt Bronze Mounted Crystal Lyre Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Restauration gilt bronze mounted crystal lyre mantel clock French, circa 1820 Measures: Height 67cm, width 23cm, depth 14cm This superb mantel c...
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Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze

French Ormolu Lyre Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu Lyre clock standing on a stepped rectangular base with acanthus leaf decoration and floral swags resting on four turned and chased toupe feet. Chased garland gilt bezel surrounding a fine enamel dial with Roman numerals and a gilded starburst...
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1840s French Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Superb 19th Century Grandfather Clock by Haentges Freres
Located in Tarzana, CA
A superb quality 19th century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany and King-wood Parquetry "Re´gulateur de Parquet" Grandfather longcase Clock by Haentges Freres. The drum...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts. The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
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19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Gilt bronze mantel clock in form of Roman ruin
Located in London, GB
This wonderful mantel clock is designed in the image of an ancient Roman ruin. The clock is clearly inspired by the kind of prints, paintings and drawings of dilapidated Roman buildi...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks

Materials

Enamel, 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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