Empire Table Clocks and Desk 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.

Style: Empire

19th Century French Empire Dore Bronze Clock

Located in Los Angeles, CA

19th century French Empire doré bronze clock, France, 1880s.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Dore Bronze Clock

$6,800

19th Century Clock Empire Clock in Siena Marble

Located in Madrid, ES

XIX CENTURY CLOCK EMPIRE CLOCK IN SIENA MARBLE AND DECORATED WITH BRONZE. SUSPENSION MECHANISM WITH FILE. COMPLETE WITH ITS KEY AND PENDULUM. MEASURES: 45 CM HIGH good condition.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble

19th Century Clock Empire Clock in Siena Marble

$1,187

Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros

By Pierre-Victor Ledure, Claude Hemon

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros

$10,096

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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800

$2,064 Sale Price

20% Off

18th Century Clock, Baillon in Paris

Located in Warsaw, PL

This is a unique, authentic antique French table or mantel clock. It is in finely chiseled and gilded bronze. The dial with outer Arabic numerals and inner Roman numerals and a fine pair of pierced gilt brass hands for the hours and minutes. Next to the clock is a tall lady figurine, accompanied by a child. The woman is holding a book in her right hand and a feather pen in her left hand. On the other side, the child draped in the Antique is standing on books and holding a paper. The white marble base rests on four small spinning feet. This clock was made by Jean-Baptiste Baillon III, one of the most skilled and innovative makers of his day. Baillon achieved almost unprecedented success to become “the richest watchmaker in Europe” - F.J. Britten. He was also one of the most important clockmakers of the eighteenth century and undoubtedly the most famous member of a long line of clockmakers. His success was largely due to his ability to organise a vast and thriving private factory in Saint-Germain-en-Laye which was unique in the history of eighteenth century clockmaking. The renowned horologist, Ferdinand Berthoud was among many to be impressed by its scale and quality and in 1753 noted that Baillon’s “house is the finest and richest Clock Shop. Diamonds are used not only to decorate his Watches but even Clocks. He has made some whose cases were small gold boxes...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century Clock, Baillon in Paris

$8,029 Sale Price

43% Off

19th Century, French Chiselled and Gilt Bronze Table Clock

Located in IT

19th century, French chiselled and gilt bronze table clock This table clock was made of chiselled and gilded bronze in the early 19th centur...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, French Chiselled and Gilt Bronze Table Clock

$11,284

Empire Pendulum Clock the Spinner, Signed Rossel in Rouen

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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Pendulum Clock the Spinner, Signed Rossel in Rouen

$7,127

French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, white Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock. This beautiful clock is supported on a circular white Carrara marble...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock

$29,800

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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style

$1,984 Sale Price

20% Off

Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century

By France"

Located in Madrid, ES

Important pendulum in gilded bronze and onyx from the nineteenth century. The enamel dial. Made for the russian market. Large: 60 x 55 x 18 cm.. With pendulum and key 6550 euros.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century

$7,899

Grandvoinnet In Paris - Bronze Clock From The Empire Period

Located in Beaune, FR

Very beautiful gilded bronze pendulum from the Empire period (18th century) representing Cupid seated in the chariot of Venus pulled by two doves. The enamel dial is signed "Grandvoi...

Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Grandvoinnet In Paris - Bronze Clock From The Empire Period

$4,988

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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Brisbart In Paris - Empire Period Clock

$3,302

Empire table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk clocks, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Breguet a Paris, Coduri of Lyon, France, and Bradley Hubbard. 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 table clocks and desk 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 $102,428 while the average work can sell for $7,116.