Empire Clocks
EMPIRE STYLE
From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Empire
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire period gilt bronze figural clock representing Amour & Psyche.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century (Early) French Clock Marble
Ormolu
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Early) French Clock Marble & Ormolu
Unique clock purchased in France. Gorgeous Marble. impeccable condition.
See Detailed Pics.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Set Vase Clock 19th Century Style Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
This Etruscan vase-shaped mantel clock cast from bronze with gilded elements and brown patina originated from the first half of the nineteenth century. The Empire style was based on ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$5,562 Sale Price / set
33% Off
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Located in Tarzana, CA
A 19th century French gilt-bronze and white marble figural lyre clock.
The case mounted with floral swags, with a figure of Cupid to the top and two cherubs to the sides, on fluted r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Portico Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine early 19th century French Empire period Portico clock of exceptional quality in the Neo-classical style, the clock housed in a richly figured mahogany case with four tapering ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Portico Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu portico clock. The clock raised on a rectangular base with finely chased borders and satin and burnish finish interlocking circ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Raingo Frères Louis XVI Style Table Clock in Alabaster
Gilded Bronze, 1800
Located in Milano, MI
French Louis XVI style table clock in alabaster and gilded bronze, made by Raingo Frères Paris in 1800
Measures: Ø cm 24 Ø cm 14 h cm 46.
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
$4,515 Sale Price
20% Off
19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840.
Fine quality Swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Brass
19 Century Italian Clock Landscape Painting
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early/mid-19th century Italian clock painting indistinctly signed on the lower right corner. The oil painting is set in a period Empire gilt frame and d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Canvas
French 19th Century Bronze
Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Stunning three-piece mantel clock set in Siena marble and bronze, French Empire period. The main piece at center features a cast bronze hound sitting uneasily upon the plinth. Roman ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1830, the circular dial with strike on bell movement, surmounted by a woman writing, on an acanthus and fluted base with scrolled feet. ...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Metal
Vintage Tiffany
Co. Empire Clock
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in Bronx, NY
Tis stunning vintage 19th century French Empire white marble mantel (fireplace) clock was made for Tiffany & Co. The clock has a lyre shape body accented with doré' bronze sculpted embellishments of the period. The top of the clock features a radiating sun burst disc with the face of the North wind. The white enamel clock face has Arabic numerals & garlands of flowers &, also, garlands of flowers that surround the Tiffany & Co. name. There is a glittering ring of faceted paste stones attached to the pendulum &, as the pendulum moves, so does this jeweled ring, creating a dazzling effect. The clock has a key wind movement with a French bell. The clock key is present. This clock runs, but will require a cleaning/service to keep accurate time & is sold as is. This wonderful antique time piece...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel
Early 19th Century Vase Pendule, Pendulum-Clock, Tardy à Lyon, Empire circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique vase clock
France
Fire gilded bronze
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 41 x 13 x 12
Description:
Beautiful all gilt French mantel clock.
The basic form is in the shape of an urn vase with lid...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Patinated
Gilt Metal Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Patinated and Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1840, surmounted by a seated female musician holding a tambourine, white enamel dial, strike on bell, on a gothic strapwor...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Enamel
Empire Gilt Bronze Table Clock by Claude Gallé, France, 19th Century
By Claude Galle
Located in Lisbon, PT
This rare early 19th-century French Empire style gilt bronze mantle clock was created by the renowned Claude Gallé for the 1807 Exhibition.
Gallé is considered one of the finest bro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
$6,580 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Philosopher Bronze Clock Mount
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Philosopher Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock Mount, mid-19th century, depicting Socrates seated on rocky outcropping, writing "Oui / Lame / est / immortalle" [Yes ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Portico Timber Clock, circa 1815
Located in Pymble, NSW
A brilliant French portico clock with ormolu mounts and pendulum mounted with 2 swans with 'blackened' necks and wings.
The timber is gleaming with its...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Burl
French Empire Style Gilt Metal and Marble Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mounted White Marble Portico Clock, early 20th century, surmounted by an Imperial eagle, sunburst, the suspended circular dial with battery operated mo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Metal
Mantel Clock with small Satyrs, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Mantel clock on an oval marble base, adorned with fire-gilded bronze appliqués. The clock is supported by fully sculpted satyr figures carrying an overflowing gilded fruit basket. Em...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820.
The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
$802 Sale Price
25% Off
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
This Empire period clock (circa 1800-1810) is composed of a marble terrace topped by two flat columns decor...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$3,233 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock
By Normant
Located in Paris, FR
Vase-shaped mantel clock in gilded porcelain. Breguet hands track the hours and minutes on white, enamel dial with hours marked in Roman numerals. The porcelain is interspaced with g...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Porcelain
Drouot French Empire Bronze Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This French Empire mantel clock features a seated female figure, finely sculpted, draped in flowing fabric, and positioned next to an elegant water fountain motif.
The round enamel d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
$13,895 Sale Price
20% Off
French Gilt Bronze and Black Slate Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Gilt Bronze and Black Slate Mercury Compensated Mantel Clock, retailed by J.E. Caldwell & Co., Philadelphia, early 20th century, the arched case in the French Empire style, th...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Clocks
Materials
Slate, Bronze
IMPORTANT EMPIRE TABLE CLOCK 19th Century Émile Gallé
By Émile Gallé
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT EMPIRE TABLE CLOCK 19th Century Émile Gallé
19th century French.
in gilded bronze, surmounted by birds.
Profusely enamelled circular dial with Roman numerals.
Relief d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Rare Empire Clock Cabinet Sideboard, Antique Northern Swedish Country Gustavian
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique clock cabinet from Sweden made during the transitional time between the gustavian and empire period. The cabinet is from Northern Sw...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Pine
French Empire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Clock of the Astronomical Sciences
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a period French Empire mantle clock in finely chased and gilded bronze made in France in the first quarter of the 19thC. One of the Greek muses with a star atop h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Clock The Spinner by Rossel in Rouen
Located in Paris, FR
French Empire pendulum clock finely crafted of gilt bronze, featuring a young spinner wearing a classical dress, seating on the dial near a lyre ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, circa 1830, the classical muse upholding a basket of flowers beside a red-painted globular clock with white enamel dial, the movement strike ...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century Gilt Brass Table Mantle Clock
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century gilt brass mantle clock with the glass hood. Decor of foliage, arrows, and bow. Crowned by an angel with lyre. The glas dome has protected it beautifully and it is...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Viennese Portal Clock, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Viennese portal clock resting on a rectangular mahogany base. The ebonized case is richly adorned with fire-gilded bronze appliqués. Flanking the clock are carved decorati...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$8,093 Sale Price
30% Off
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 Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
$20,948 Sale Price
30% Off
Italian Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt Clock
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical parcel-gilt clock. Roman military Empire period mantel clock of obelisk form topped by an extraordinary eagle with outs...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Metal
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 Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock. Item features a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Clock in Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in chiselled and gilt bronze composed by a rectangular base on which stand the dial-plate and a statuette of Bacchus. Round dial-plate with Roman numbers off-center on the righ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Ormolu Bronze and White Marble Portico Clock
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique (19th century) French portico form mantel clock in white marble with finely cast ormolu bronze mounts, distinguished by its large size and Cupid with bow among clou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Clock Pendulum Empire France
Located in New York, NY
Table pendulum clock made in France during the empire period, 1790-1810. Made from gilt bronze. Depicting a man holding a cornucopia.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Superb Quality Bronze Ebonized French Empire Ormulu Mounted Figural Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Empire figural mantel clock represents the pinnacle of 19th-century artistry and craftsmanship. Featuring a be...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$4,680 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire style bronze mantel clock.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$5,000 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Miniatur Mantel Clock, Gare La Bombe, Cupido, France, Gilded Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Pendulette "Gare La Bombe"
France
gilded bronze
first half 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 20 x 15 x 7 cm
Description:
Antique miniature mante...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock in Mercury-Gilt Bronze, France, early 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, Empire style, France, early 19th century
Magnificent mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, made in France around 1810-1820, at the height of the Empire ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Empire clock in bronze with two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th century
Weight: 11.00 kg
Sizes: H 51cm x L 39cm
France
very good condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Portico Clock Signed Cellier à Paris, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small portico clock made of gray marble with gilded applications. The cylindrical movement is enclosed between two columns, above which a figural top piece in the form of a seated Ch...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Empire Mahogany Grandfather Clock, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large Empire grandfather clock with a mahogany-veneered case in the shape of a lyre. The grandfather clock stands on a chest with three drawers and diamond-shaped fillings. Above it ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Enamel
EARLY 19th CENTURY FRENCH PORCELAIN CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant biscuit watch with an allegory of pure love. The spring-loaded watch features an enamelled dial with double Arabic and Roman numerals, and a crown set with zircons cut like d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Porcelain
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 Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
$5,150
19th Century French Empire Style Fire Gilded Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire style fire gilded bronze mantel clock.
French fire gilded bronze mantel clock with separate bronze base and po...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock by Deverberie a Paris, Fire-Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
French Empire mantel clock from DeVerberie a Paris.
Fire-gilded.
Age-related condition.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$6,181 Sale Price
20% Off
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze period Empire mantle clock. France, circa 1805.
Period Empire clock featuring an stylized Hercules with Lion's pelt. Origin...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, circa 1830, the white enamel dial and movement strik on bell surmounted by a standing classical figure resting on an amphora pouring water, d...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Table Clock Empire France
Located in New York, NY
A table clock made in France during the Empire 1790-1820. Made from blackened wood and burnt-gilt bronze. Godronned urn-formation, lion mascarons, pine cone all Empire attributes
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period gilt bronze figural clock.
Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
$11,195 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Ljungby, SE
An Empire mantel clock in gilded wood, made in Austria or Germany 1820-1830. It features a warrior dressed in classical armor with his arm resting atop the clock. The clock pillar is...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Wood
Empire Sevres Style Porcelain Bronze Mounted Mantel Picard Clock
By Henri Picard
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a Sevres style porcelain ormolu bronze mounted mantel clock. The frontal cobalt blue porcelain panel is hand painted with a winged cherub holding a basket of flowers. Below him,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$12,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Allegorical French Empire clock Titled " Le Sacrifice d’Iphigénie "
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a period French Empire mantle clock which depicts the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon in Homer’s Iliad. The case is of matte and burnished gilded bronze, th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Pendule au char
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base decorated with a wheat and foliate frieze and raised on four ball feet, the goddess of agriculture Ceres standing while leaning against a Roman chariot with harv...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Empire Bronze Fire-Gilded Pendule
Located in Berlin, DE
Great bronze pendulum. Base and pedestal with lavish floral and figurative embellishments such as rocaille, acanthus leaves, cartouches, garlands, putti and central masks. Additional...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$2,548 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Claude Galle, Breguet a Paris, and C. Maniere. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $445 and tops out at $145,000 while the average work can sell for $7,774.
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