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
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
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Galle, Rue Vivienne À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This is a beautiful antique French Empire mantle clock was made of gilded bronze and marble. The clock is placed on a rectangular marble pedestal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$7,712 Sale Price
23% Off
Birth of the King of Rome, Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Patinated bronze clock representing The Birth of the King of Rome or the allegory of the Birth of Love
Empress Marie-Louise is standing near a cradle filled with roses with a winged cupid in the middle; decor of an Athenian woman with rams' heads and a curtain draped...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Clock from the 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style gilt bronze clock from the 19th century.
19th century Empire style gilt bronze clock with porcelain dial, minor restoration to the porcelain to be expected, movement to...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Clock, "The Astronomy Lesson", early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
A mercury gilt bronze clock depicting two young women dressed in antique style sitting in Etruscan-style shepherdesses on either side of a draped table with claw feet, studying a map...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Ormolu Mantel Clock "Portefaix", Paris, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Pendule Portefaix
Paris
Bronze, enamel
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 36 x 28 x 11 cm
Description:
Beautiful, fire-gilded and patinated bronze pendule from the early 19...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
EARLY 19th CENTURY VIENNESE EMPIRE CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful clock in walnut root, enriched with maple fillets and with an ebonized wooden base. The decoration of the clock features gilded bronze friezes, inspired by classical elemen...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock of Seated Cupid Holding a Rose
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Finest quality period French Empire clock depicting a seated winged cupid holding a rose; the case in gilt and patinated bronze. The clock show a gilt cupid...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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
$13,907 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$1,984 Sale Price
20% Off
French Portico Clock – Black and White Marble, Gilt Bronze – Early 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Refined French Empire-style portico clock, dating from the early 1800s, in black and white marble, richly adorned with finely chiseled gilt bronze. The enameled dial with Roman numer...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid as magician, uncovering flaming hearts with the 3 cup trick. The shaped base with four tal...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Fire Gilded Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful fire gilded Empire mantel clock with a shepherdess on top with a wreath and ribbon. On the left a staff with pan flute.
At the bottom of the clo...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Table Clock Empire Period France
Located in New York, NY
A mantel clock made during the Empire period 1790-1820 in France. Made from burnished gilt bronze. The Greek God Apollo is playing the lyre with his feet resting on a guilded stool.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Table Clock
Located in Madrid, ES
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Table Clock
19th century French.
in gilded bronze, surmounted by birds.
Profusely enamelled circular dial with Roman numerals.
Relie...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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
EARLY 19th CENTURY GOLDEN WALL CLOCK WITH MUSIC BOX
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid wall clock set in an elegant opening wooden case, with carved frame and golden tablet. The internal finishes of the clock are also in golden tablet and brass. The decoration...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Brass
Venus Clipping the Wings of Cupid Mantel Clock by Thomire
Cie
Located in New Orleans, LA
This splendid Empire gilt bronze French mantel clock, signed on the dial by bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire and watchmaker Louis Moinet, features an exquisitely detailed scene of Ve...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Figurative Gilt Bronze Clock of a Roman Youth Holding a Scroll
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire figurative clock of a Roman youth holding a scroll in gilded bronze showing a seated classically draped youth sitting atop the clock case holding a lyre in one hand a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock by Denière
Located in London, GB
An Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock by Denière
French, c.1820
Measures: Height 50cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm
Made in the early nineteenth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Empire Clock Depicting Psyche Playing with a Butterfly After Canova
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire Clock depicting Psyche playing with a butterfly after a marble statue by Canova displayed in the Louvre. A patinated bronze Psych...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Antique early 19th century French bronze and Sienna marble mantle clock
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive early 19th Century French bronze & Sienna marble Clock surmounted with well-cast bust of Jupiter. The Clock, having 8-day s...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock in the form of a vase, Empire Era, 1800-1815. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and pendulum.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$2,064 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Baccarat Crystal Clock Garniture, French Empire with Gilt Bronze
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire clock garniture with gilt bronze and Baccarat crystal.
An important French Baccarat cut-crystal and ormolu mantel clock with four Corinthian style columns. The cut-crystal features a cross hatched diamond patterns throughout. The clock comes with two large Baccarat crystal and gilt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
$11,995 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Le Roy et fils
By Le Roy
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel
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
19th Century French Empire Skeleton Clock with Vestal Virgins
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Classic two dimensional French Empire skeleton clock, the finely chased and mercury gilded case depicts Amour holding a flaming torch and a banner, symbol of war, seated on a quiver full of arrows and set on top of the dial and movement. The dial is framed by two vestal virgins...
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
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...
Category
1810s Belgian Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Empire style table clock and inkwell
Origin France Circa 1900
The watch has a Paris machine and it works
Golden bronze and Onix materials
Very good general condition
the marble ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Period French Empire Mantle Clock
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The clock features a winged cupid standing on his chariot drawn by two doves and supported on clouds; cupid holds the reins to two doves which appear to be guiding the chariot. The open 'wheel' of the chariot contains the outer enamel clock dial...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique early 19th century French red marble and ormolu clock garniture
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu Clock Garniture comprising a pair of campana shaped Urns with satyr mask carrying handles supported on red marble plinths with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
A French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Silk Thread Mantel Clock, Circa 1820
Located in Tarzana, CA
A French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Silk Thread Mantel Clock
The neoclassical theme with a lady and a mandolin.The clock retains its original blued steel Breguet style hands. The ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Allegorical French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting Earth’s Source of Water
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A gilt bronze French Empire clock depicting an allegory to the earth’s water source. In this clock a classically draped nymph sits atop a rocky outcrop her right foot resting on the ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock "Pouring Wine"
Located in Tarzana, CA
A fine Early 19th century French Empire ormolu bronze mantel clock.
Depicting a winged cherub standing atop a barrel while a kneeling lady pouring wine ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock with Cupid in a Chariot
By Marie Prevost
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional gilt bronze mantel clock with its key depicting a winged Cupid in a chariot. The chariot is pulled by two doves that are resting on a platform adorned with water-leaf. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Brisbart In Paris - Empire Period Clock
Located in Beaune, FR
Early 19th century Empire period vase-shaped clock in gilded and patinated bronze. It rests on a square base decorated with a frieze representing chimeras. The vase rests on a golden...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
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
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
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
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 Empire Allegorical Clock Depicting Roman Triumph and Power
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural gilt bronze French Empire clock, ‘Allegory to Triumph and Power’. A Roman emperor stands to the right of the central rectangular plinth housing the movement; atop the plint...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
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 Empire Allegorical Clock of Love Nourishing Life
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural French Empire clock in gilded bronze representing an allegory on how love nourishes life or “L’Amour alimentant la vie” in French. The clock shows a seated winged Amor refi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Period French Empire Mantle Clock Depicting a Winged Cupid Playing a Lute
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine quality chased and gilded French Empire mantle clock depicting a standing winged cupid to the right of the clock plinth playing a lute. He looks to his right reading his sheet music and other elements including a torch, flambeau, wreath etc. On the left side of the clock plinth is a three legged...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
$3,040 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
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
$6,187 Sale Price
20% Off
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Located in London, GB
A fine model of Chronos carrying off time. The superbly modelled and cast figure of Chronos with scythe in one hand and carrying the clock under his arm. Set on a fine marble base wi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Orologio a Vaso Francia Primo Quarto XIX Secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Orologio a vaso in bronzo dorato poggiante su un plinto ornato con motivi a foglie susseguenti poggiante su quattro piedini a sfera. Il corpo dalla caratteristica forma a vaso biansa...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Figural Bisque Porcelain w Gilt Bronze Clock Napoleonic Officer 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Made of bisque porcelain in the middle of 19th century, presumably by Royal French Porcelain Manufacture de Sevres, the clock in the form of a scene where an elegant officer was depi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze, Brass
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figurative Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt bronze figurative mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 33cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm
This superb mantel clock is a wonderful example of the...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze French Empire Clock Depicting An Allegory of a Library
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare model of a French Empire clock in gilded bronze called The Library, featuring a boy and a girl dressed in classical attire diligently studying in a library, both are sitting on a stool in front of a clock which is integrated into a column which also serves as a bookshelf. The oval clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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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