Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
NAPOLEON III STYLE
Under Napoleon III’s rule, Paris underwent a great rebuilding overseen by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, which created grand avenues and lavish landmarks like the Paris Opera. Antique Napoleon III–style furniture was flamboyant and eclectic. It was also known as Second Empire style since it followed and referenced the Empire style of his uncle Napoleon I.
Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons. It borrowed freely from earlier French styles including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI as well as aesthetics from around the world, from antiquity to Asian art. As writer Gustave Claudin remarked in 1867, the country’s architects worked in “a style which one would be tempted to call neo-Greco-Gothico-Pompadour-Pompeian.”
Napoleon III chairs were completely covered with velvet and lined with tassels; pouf footstools invited people to put up their feet. Sofas were upholstered with tapestries, and beds were adorned with gilt bronze and theatrical canopies. The addition of conservatories to homes led to new indoor-outdoor furniture, while the spirit of hygiene promoted by Baron Haussmann inspired bright, floral motifs.
Although the most ostentatious designs were for the elite, as seen in the Napoleon III apartments preserved in the Louvre, where red velvet, gilding and chandeliers create a cacophony of luxury, these trends influenced homes across classes as manufacturing made design increasingly accessible. Papier-mâché furniture allowed for elaborate shapes that would have been difficult to carve in wood. The malleable material was painted with chinoiserie patterns and decorative designs. It was mass-produced by factories such as Jennens and Bettridge with varnishing and mother-of-pearl inlays creating an effect reminiscent of Asian lacquer. (Surfaces that had been “japanned” — a specialty of Jennens and Bettridge — were intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia.)
Find a collection of antique Napoleon III decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Napoleon III
French Napoléon III Carved Walnut Long Case Clock with Brass Farming Scene
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period carved walnut antique long case clock from the mid-19th century, with bonnet top, farming scene and scrolling motifs. Create...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Brass
Fantastic quality Napoleon III Marquetry inlaid eight day longcase clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic quality Napoleon III Marquetry inlaid eight day longcase clock having a quality bombe shaped case finely inlaid with boulle marquetry work of cut brass arabesque and enrich...
Category
19th Century Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period
Located in Warsaw, PL
The eight-days going movement. It strikes the hour and half and hour on it’s bell. The clock comes complete with its pendulum, key and bell.
The clock is in excellent and perfect wo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Pendulum Clock Regulateur De Parquet
Located in Berlin, DE
Museale Pendulum clock "Regulateur de parquet" after Jean-Henri Riesener Napoleon III, Paris, circa 1850-1880.
A model by Jean-Henri Riesener ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Pedestal Clock “Parquet Regulator” after Jean-Henri Riesener, 1734
Located in Berlin, DE
A Model of Jean Henri Riesener (Received Master in 1768) executed in 1785. (inv. OA 5501 In Louvre Museum). 19th Century. This fine and sumptuous “Regulateur de Pendule” presents a fine amaranth. Of Sycamore oeuil de vermeuil, ebony and buis stringing marquetry. The base and the gaine are decorated with diamond shapes. The hours are inscribed in Roman numerals and the munutes in Arabic. It takes place in a magnificent gilt décor of three winged children playing with garlands on clouds. The regulateur is enriched with a delicate garniture of bronze. The dial and each panel are framed by an elegant frieze of palms and pearls. The top of the gaine is enhanced with a frieze of palms and ovums, foliages and garlands of flowers. Each corner is ornated with fleurons. The front of the gaine is embellished by an Apollo mask (Sun Symbol) and each side with laurel crowns. Under the mask the cartouche is decorated by a stylized vase of flowers.
Foliated scrolls, flowers, garlands, cornucopias and musical instruments such as a harp (Apollo Reference) the cherubs are underlined by pearls, scrolls of Acanthus Leaves and garlands dawning out in foliages, framed with ropes until the lions feet. The feet rest on a base ornated with fleurons and foliages with buds of flowers ending in four conical feet with acanthus leaves.
With André-Charles Boulle (1642–1732) and Charles Cressent (1685–1768), Riesener was arguably one of the three greatest French ébénistes of the 18th century. Eventually taking over the workshop after Oeben's death in 1763, and marrying his widow some four years later. He is renowned for completing the famous bureau du Roi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche
By C. Detouche
Located in New York, NY
A palatial, extremely rare, and important Napoleon III French ormolu and patinated bronze regulateur de parquet clock, by Louis-Constantin Detouche, Paris, circa 1850.
The clock case made form the finest French ormolu, with 2 very large patinated bronze seated putti
The white enamel dial Signed C. DETOUCHE/ PARIS. The clock movement is numbered 7064 and stamped with maker’s stamps C. Detouche RUE st. MARTIN and C. DETOUCHE 158 R. St MARTIN 160, with medaille d’argent stamp, on a serpentine part ebonized mahogany plinth.
At over six feet tall, the present clock is impressive in scale and rare in Detouche’s oeuvre. While other large clocks were produced by the firm, few of this scale are so overtly decorative and usually incorporate greater mechanical complication. For example, a gilt bronze astronomical regulator clock...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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Located in Forney, TX
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The Napoleon III Second Empire period, Neoclassical style antique clock having an urn form finial with sculptural gilded bronze mounts, over architectural case made of the most beautiful variegated specimen marble, with various shades of salmon pink and white, black and silver veining, pierced flower blossom ormolu mounted columns flank the hand enameled fancy dial with Provincial figural scene, signed Guinchard & Martin, Castres, glass door with beaded gilt brass bezel, housing the high-quality eight day time and strike movement stamped AD Mougin...
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Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Portico Mantel Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep time in your office, study, or atop your mantel with this elegant antique potico clock. Crafted in France, circa 1860 and standing on bun feet over a rectangular base, the sophi...
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Antique French Napoleon III French Rouge Marble & Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
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Antique George III Mahogany Eight Day Painted Face Grandfather Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
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Located in Berlin, DE
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Located in Madrid, ES
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19th Century French Napoleon III Ebony Painted Wall Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
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Previously Available Items
French Gilt-Bronze, Champleve Enamel, Onyx, and Marble Pedestal Clock, C. 1880
Located in New York, NY
A French Gilt-Bronze, Champleve / Cloisonne Enamel, Green Onyx, and Pink Marble Pedestal Clock, C. 1880.
With a 5½-inch dial with cream enamel, the case with gilt-bronze mounts and pillars decorated with polychrome champleve enamel.
Overall in very good condition, no damages noted, minor hairlines to the clock dial. Normal wear consistent with age and use. Clock is not currently running but can be serviced by a local clock repair...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
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Onyx, Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
H 50 in W 15 in D 12 in
A of mantel clock in the style of Napoleon III, the 19th century.
Located in Warsaw, PL
Napoleon III “Pendule à la Geoffrin” . A gilded figure representing “The Use of Time” reclines against the clock while reading. The first version of this model was made as early as 1...
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Standing Clock Boulle 19th Century
Located in Warsaw, PL
Standing clock Boulle 19th Century. The clock is in excellent and perfect working condition. In addition, it was recently cleaned and serviced by a prof...
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Bronze
Napoleon III Cartel Violin Shape Table Clock in Boulle Marquetry, France, 1870
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Violin shape table clock cartel covered with Boulle style Marquetry in the facade and sides and on the damping.
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
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H 16.54 in W 9.06 in D 4.73 in
19th Century Napoleon III Onyx and Marble Longcase Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
As much of a sculptural work of art as a majestic timepiece, this monumentally-sized Napoleon III longcase clock is crafted of exquisite Algerian onyx and rouge marble. Based Upon th...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
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Fine 19th Century Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Inlaid Bombe Long Case Clock
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The bombe shaped case is intricately inlaid with boulle and brass marquetry work and enriched with finely chiseled gilt bronze mounts. The case is surmounted by a figure of the archa...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
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Porcelain, Wood
H 90.5 in W 31 in D 14.5 in
19th Century French Brass Repoussé Clock Movement
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This 19th century brass repoussé clock movement was originally intended for an elaborate glass door grandfather clock, but its delicate floral decorati...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Napoleon Iii grandfather clocks and longcase clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III grandfather clocks and longcase clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage grandfather clocks and longcase clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III grandfather clocks and longcase clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original grandfather clocks and longcase clocks, popular names associated with this style include and C. Detouche. 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 grandfather clocks and longcase clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $7,960 and tops out at $2,500,000 while the average work can sell for $24,888.
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