Ormolu Clocks
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805
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550
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808
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72
68
52
33
19
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1
1
64
722
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5,843
4,114
1,685
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1,079
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752
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Material: Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu and White Carrara Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by fine circular mottled ormolu feet below the solid whit...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany and Ormolu Longcase Clock, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany and ormolu longcase clock, circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Style Three-Piece Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period marble and ormolu three piece garniture set signed Raingo Frères, Paris. The clock and original matching pair of candelabras are raised by impressive marble bases with the clock raised on reeded block feet at the front and elegant fluted topie shaped feet at each side. At the center is a striking fitted ormolu plaque with lovely scrolled acanthus leaves and Rinceau shaped scrolls flanked by lovely fluted designs with fitted ormolu foliate chandelles. Impressive intricately detailed cornucopias lead up each side with beautiful ripe fruit and blooming flowers tied with a wonderfully executed flowing ribbon. The enameled clock face displays elegant pierced ormolu hands and Roman numeral hour markers and Arabic numeral minute markers centering the signature and framed within the ormolu bezel with a fine laurel band and the original hand blown glass. The graceful arch shaped top displays a superb ormolu reserve of the eternal flame, a quiver, and a bow tied to a berried laurel wreath with a ribbon symbolizing peace, prosperity, and protection. At the center of each candelabra is a remarkable spiral fluted support centered by four elegant curved supports with fine foliate accents and charming swaging chains. Above is the impressive richly chased acorn finial above the two curved fluted arms also adorned with remarkable chains and large acanthus leaves leading to lovely foliate candle cups. All original gilt throughout.
Candelabra dimensions: H: 13" L: 8.5" D: 4.25"
Raingo Fréres, established in 1813 in Paris, specialized in the high precision clock...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Porcelain Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI St. ormolu and porcelain clock. The small scale clock is raised by fine tapered fluted legs below striking richly chased block rosettes cente...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu, black Belgian and white Carrara marble clock, signed Vaillant à Paris. The clock is raised by a black Belgian marble base with fine ormolu topie feet and striking fitted ormolu plaques...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Cartel Clock Signed F.Lesage Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Louis XIV st. tortoiseshell, brass and ormolu Cartel Clock signed F.Lesage Paris. The beautiful clock is raised on its orig...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Edward F. Caldwell, An Extremely Fine and Rare Ormolu-Mounted Malachite Clock
Located in New York, NY
Edward F. Caldwell and Co., An extremely fine and rare American ormolu-mounted malachite clock with the prince of wales's feathers, circa early 20th century
The shape, design, and...
Category
Early 20th Century American Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Clock, Stamped Vincent, 1855
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most unique French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, patinated bronze and marble clock, stamped Vincent 1855. The clock is raised by fine ormolu supports below the ci...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble and Ormolu Clock, Signed Simona a Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and extremely high quality French early 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock, signed Simona à Paris, circa 1819. The clock is raised by six elegant topie shaped feet below the exceptional and most decorative scallop shaped white Carrara marble base. The base displays an exceptional stepped design and beautiful pierced baluster like wrap around ormolu gallery with a fine twisted ribbon fillet and central rosette. Leading up each side are impressive columns raised by square supports with exceptional concave sides decorated with fitted pierced foliate ormolu mounts, and rosettes encased by unique posts and chains. The columns are each adorned with lovely swaging ormolu fabrics, tassels, and an exquisite array of beaded and twisted ribbon ormolu fillets leading upwards to the superb ball and chain pendants. Above the beautiful pendulum with two intricately detailed rooster heads and central sun mask is the elegant enameled clock face with Arabic hour and minute markers with pieced hands with the rare inclusion of a second hand framed within an outstanding and finely detailed ormolu band of intertwined ropes. Above is a handsome richly chased Roman soldier wearing a cape and holding a dagger and sheath...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical Style Porcelain and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive French 19th century neo-classical st. porcelain and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine scrolled ormolu feet below the beautiful deep forest green porcelain b...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. White Carrara Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by ormolu topie shaped supports below a marble base with ormolu scrolling foliage and ormolu beaded row. Above is the central fluted marble column...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
c.1765 Ormolu and Patinated Horse Clock by Lenoir
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Maker:
Etienne Lenoir
Case:
The ormolu and patinated case features a prancing horse with a finely textured finish, a wellcast snail, scrolling foliage above framing the clock ...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Clock Signed 'Raingo Freres, Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and patinated bronze clock, signed Raingo Frères Paris. The clock is ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century First Empire Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable French early 19th century First Empire ormolu clock, with the original silk threaded movement, dated 1809. Raised on a square moulded ormolu platform above bun supports. The pedestal base has a scalloped chasing below and a reeded one at the top with a scalloped foliate mount at the base of the clock. Standing in a reeded and scalloped cornucopia on one side is a charming winged putti with a quiver on the shoulder sharpening an arrow. On the other side is a lovely winged maiden in classic attire, turning the sharpening wheel...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Ormolu Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock, Paris, 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock, Paris, 1800.
The white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals is contained ...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period ormolu, Gris St. Anne and white Carrara marble clock, signed 'Mailland, a Paris'. The clock is raised by six mottled ...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Rococo Style Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French gilded ormolu Rococo influenced mantel clock, having wonderful scrolling foliate decoration, the clock face having enamel Roman numerals, an e...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Figurative Mantel Clock by Dasson
By Henry Dasson
Located in London, GB
Antique patinated bronze and ormolu figurative mantel clock by Dasson
French, 1888
Measures: Height 30cm, width 30cm, depth 13cm
This fine mantel clock is by the celebrated make...
Category
1880s French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Exquisite French Empire Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Clock, c. 1815
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite French Empire ormolu and cut-crystal clock, c. 1815, attributed to Baccarat.
Made from the finest quality mercury gilding ormolu, this c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Mid-19th Century Ormolu Marble Clock, Signed Frères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu and Griotte de Campan Rouge marble clock, signed ...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Style Sevres Bisque Clock Signed Guyon a Lyon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French neo-classical st. Sèvres Bisque clock signed Guyon a Lyon ( Jean Baptiste Guyon). The clock is raised by ormolu supports below th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Mid 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Cartel Clock, Signed ‘Pons’
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu cartel clock, by Etienne Maxant. The impressive wall clock is centered by a stunning richly chased b...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
English Egyptian Revival Mantel Clock with Fusee Movement by Moore of London
Located in London, GB
A fabulous and very rare antique English, Egyptian revival mantel clock with fusee movement by John Moore and Sons of London. This clock has a number of very unusual features. Constr...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated bronze, ormolu, and white Carrara marble clock signed H Luppens & Cie. The clock is raised by five topie shaped feet with f...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and unique French early 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu mantel clock, signed by Chapsal a Paris. The clock is raised on finely chased swan supports below a rectangula...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Fine American Gilt Bronze Standing Clock by Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Antique chased Ormolu clock case ornamented with hand pierced all over foliate pattern scrollwork, achieved through repousse and engraving, enclosing a p...
Category
Early 20th Century Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Sevres, Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French gilded ormolu and Sevres style porcelain clock garniture.
The clock having this wonderful cobalt blue ground fluted, lidded vase with ring...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. white Carrara marble and ormolu clock in the manner of Clodion. The clock is raised by elegant reeded topie shaped feet below the ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French Mid 19th Century Charles X Period Ormolu Portico Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French mid 19th century Charles X period ormolu portico clock. The clock is raised by fine bun feet below the rectangular base with an elegant mottled design and richl...
Category
19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Enamel Miniature Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze and enamel miniature carriage clock
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 11cm, width 5.5cm, depth 5cm
Case: ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French 19th-20th Century Régence Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Longcase Clock
By Julien Le Roy, Charles Cressent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Régence style gilt bronze mounted tulipwood parquetry regulator longcase clock, after the 18th century model by Julien Le Roy (French, 1686-1759) and ...
Category
Early 1900s French Régence Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
French Mid 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Clock, by Bardon, Montpellier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu clock, by Bardon, Montpellier. The clock has two love birds on the left looking over to a patinated bronze cupid, standing pro...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Sèvres Style Porcelain Plaques
Located in London, GB
Rococo style gilt bronze mantel clock with Sèvres style porcelain plaques
French, late 19th Century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 32cm, depth 15cm
This fine mantel clock is a cha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Belle Époque Period Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu clock. The clock is raised by elegant block feet with fine fluted and les oves designs. Impressive mirrored ...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Early 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Clock, 'Signed Lepaute Paris'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely high quality French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. signed 'Lepaute, Paris' ormolu clock. The clock with a superb chasing throughout has all of its original gilt. Raised ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble and Finely Chased Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. marble and finely chased ormolu clock. The clock is raised on six ormolu topie shaped feet below the white Carrara marble base with scrolled foliate ormolu mounts and beaded border. Perched above is a charming winged cherub holding up an arrow. At each side are lovely ormolu maidens draped in classic attire with their flowing hair, holding up a floral wreath. Centered is the ormolu clock with paw feet fluted and scrolled designs at the base and swaging foliate garland. Above the enamel dial is decorated with a winged cherub bust...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu, White Carrara Marble and Crystal Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most exquisite French mid-19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu, white Carrara marble and crystal clock. The clock is raised on a moulded oval white Carrara marble base supported by ri...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
c.1810 French Ormolu Mantle Clock, ‘La Delivrance de l’Amour’
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Maker:
Dubuc Aine à Paris
Case:
The well-cast and finished ormolu is surmounted by a female figure leaning over and opening the top door of cage containing a putti. Flanking t...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI French Figural Mantle Clock
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Case:
The ormolu rockwork case has patinated figures to the sides, military implements and several flags above and stands on a red variegated base with flattened bun feet. A celebr...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. White Carrara Marble Garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu mounted on white Carrara marble clock Garniture set. The three piece set includes a pair of two arm candelabras ormolu mounted with beads and C scrolled arms. The clock is ornamented with ormolu laurel garlands and an urn of prosperity above. The whole is raised on four marble columns...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Biscuit De Sèvres Garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Louis XVI st. Biscuit de Sèvres garniture clock set. The set has a pair of urns of prosperity with two cherubs on eac...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Ormolu Three-Piece Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extraordinary and high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu three piece clock and candelabras garniture set. Each raised by square tapered fluted feet with fine acanth...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Mid-19th Century Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and very high quality French mid-19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock, stamped L. Oudry, Paris. The c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
c.1810 French Figural Mantle Clock Signed Dubuc.
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Maker:
Dubuc – Clockmaker.
Case:
The well-cast ormolu case depicts a barnyard scene with a maiden supporting a milk jug accompanied by several animals that include a sheep, ro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XV Rococo Style Ormolu & Porcelain Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and most attractive 19th century French Louis XV Rococo Style ormolu and porcelain mantle clock, modelled as an urn with floral finial and goat head masks to the sides, o...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Mid-19th Century, Louis XVI St. Ormolu and White Carrara Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most exquisite French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and white Carrara marble clock. The clock is raised by topie shaped ormolu supports, The rectangular marble base is deco...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze Mounted Malachite Turning Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze mounted malachite turning mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 75cm, width 28cm, depth 25.5cm
The malachite mantel clock case is st...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Vert Patricia Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Vert Patricia marble and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine rectangular ormolu supports below the Vert de Patricia marble base. A str...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French, Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu clock garniture, the clock having a classical urn finial with garlands, ribbons and foliate decoration. The white ename...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Clock Garniture By Prosper Roussel Of Paris
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning ormolu and onyx mantle clock with garniture. Surmounted by a seated cupid on a octagonal shaped base with a wreath border, twin barrel movement striking on a bell ,an enamel dial with the hours and minutes in Roman numerals respectively, the dial signed Prosper Roussel...
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain clock garniture
French, 19th century
Measures: Clock height 46cm, width 29cm, depth 24c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Ormolu Clock Stamped ‘DENIERE A PARIS”
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu clock stamped 'DENIERE A PARIS". The clock is raised by square tapered fluted feet with fine...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Elaborate 19th Century French Clock by T H Re Le Roy
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th century French clock by T H re Le Roy, having 8 day striking silk-suspension movement with silver dial. The c...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Continental Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Clock, signed Imperial
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative Continental Turn of the Century Louis XVI st. Ormolu, Vert Antique marble and patinated Bronze clock, signed Imperial. The clock is raised on six Ormol...
Category
20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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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