Ormolu Clocks
8
802
3
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26
548
238
805
805
805
231
71
67
53
33
19
7
5
2
1
1
64
719
19
3
16
1
5
1
Height
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5,859
4,113
1,685
1,607
1,080
794
750
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21
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Material: 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 Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock height 52cm, width 39cm, depth 15cm
Vases height 38cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm
This be...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
By Popon A Paris
Located in London, GB
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 68cm, width 63cm, depth 26cm
Candelabra: Height 89cm, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu, Tôle
Large Neoclassical Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Circular Movement Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large neoclassical style marble and gilt bronze circular movement mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 82cm, width 26cm, depth 26cm
Crafted from the finest of materials, including beautiful white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze, this unusually large mantel clock is a superb piece of neoclassical design. The clock features a white marble vase-shaped case, which houses its circular movement. The vase is set above a plinth form base, which is inset with gilt bronze relief panels...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Champlevé Enamel Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French champlevé enamel and porcelain clock garniture, set in a gilded ormolu case, the porcelain panels to the clock and urns depicting classic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Cartel Clock, by Beurdeley
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Louis XVI style gilt-bronze Cartel clock, by Beurdeley.
Signed 'A Beurdeley Fils à Paris'.
Surmounted by a ribbon tied globe the gilt-bronze case of this fine cartel cl...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large 19th Century Sevres Style Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Figural Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent French mantel clock in patinated bronze and original ormolu. Modeled with figures of two classically dressed females sitting back to back against the clock drum and rea...
Category
19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful clock set, which comprises of a mantel clock and a pair of vases, was designed in France in circa 1870 in a wonderful Renaissance Revival style. The set has been craft...
Category
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
A Rare and Exquisite French Ormolu and Porcelain Clock, attributed to Deniere
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Exquisite French Ormolu Bronze and Porcelain Clock, attributed to Jean Francois Deniere,
circa 1810.
This large and elaborate clock is made of the finest quality ormolu and porcelain during the period. Of rectangular form, with porcelain and bronze columns painted with flowers and griffins, this clock would make a statement in any room.
To a clock collector, this clock is a true masterpiece! Similar clocks like this, by Deniere, are in prestigious museums and collections worldwide, including the Frick Collection and the Royal Collection Trust.
21.5" high x 12" wide x 6" deep
**For a similar clock see Christies New York, 21 November 2008, Lot # 139, sold for $50,000.
Very good condition with no damages. All original parts. Clock is not running.
More photos available upon request.
Jean-François Deninger, called Denière, was one of the most illustrious bronziers of the first half of the 19th century. Appointed Envoy in Constantinople around 1796, the bronzier Denière entered into partnership with François Mathelin in 1797. They founded a prosperous operation and their atelier had over 200 workers during the Empire period - a number that subsequently doubled during the reign of Louis-Philippe. Fournisseur to the duchesse de Berry and Louis-Philippe, Denière also worked for the duke of Hamilton, Ferdinand VII of Spain, William II of Hesse, William II of Holland, Tsar Alexander II of Russia, and other heads of state. In 1817-1818 Denière furnished some of the bronze work for the redecoration of the White House in Washington. He furthermore produced the mounts for the cradle of the duc de Bordeaux in 1820 and the bronzes for Charles X's coronation coach...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Pink Porcelain Clock by Japy Fréres in the Louis XVI Manner
By Japy Frères
Located in London, GB
A table clock in the Louis XVI Manner
By Japy Frères
The finely chased ormolu case is dressed with pink 'Sèvres' style hand decorated polychrome panels to the face and sides, dep...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Gilt Bronze Strut Clock in the Style of Cole
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th century gilt bronze strut clock in the style of Cole. Original gilding and very fine engraving make this a most attractive clock. The pierced ormolu frame gives a very light...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
German Mahogany and Ormolu Figural Bracket Clock. W. & H. Sch., Circa 1890
Located in Hollywood, SC
German mahogany and ormolu bracket clock with gilt bronze pineapple finials, flanking figural floral corner mounts, arched floral side screens, hinged astragal shaped glass door with...
Category
1890s German Victorian Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Steel, Ormolu
Large 19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Clock Set, by Deniere, Paris
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large and impressive 19th century gilded ormolu and bronze Louis XVI style clock garniture, having a reclined classical lady reading, next to a white enamel clock face with an eigh...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Gilt-Bronze Clock with Enamel Numerals Attributed to Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze clock with enamel numerals attributed to Henri Picard
French, circa 1860
Measures: Height 73cm, width 45cm, depth 23cm
The elaborate case of this beautiful mantel clock has a large central circular dial with enamel Roman numerals for the hours and engraved on the edge with Arabic numbers for the minutes. The surmount is a gilt bronze group of Father Time, depicted as an elderly male figure seated on a circular globe. The quality throughout is exceptional, demonstrating the very best of 19th century craftsmanship.
This clock is after a design by André-Charles Boulle (French, 1642-1732) and similar to examples of equally fine quality and casting known to have been made by 19th Century bronzier Henri Picard (French, fl. 1831-1864), therefore we can attribute the case to Picard. The movement is stamped for Parisian clock...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style porcelain and gilt bronze clock set by Barbedienne
French, late 19th Century
Clock: Height 53cm, width 27cm, depth 24cm
Candelabra: Height 56cm, width 19cm, dep...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu Mantel Clock pendulum France, Mid-Late 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A French ormolu mantel clock
French, mid-late 19th century
Measres: Height 37 cm, width 39 cm, depth 13.5 cm.
A late 19th century French gilt-bronze (ormolu) and marble mantel clock ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Malachite, Silvered and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This spectacular clock set is based on the works of the esteemed Neoclassical artist James Pradier (French, 1790-1852), whose sculptures can be found in nearly all of Paris's major m...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez
French, circa 1815
Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm
This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Clock Garniture Designed by Sévin, Cast by Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt-bronze and porcelain mounted clock garniture, designed by Louis-Constant Sévin, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne, The Movement by Japy Frères.
Frédéric Japy ...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This neoclassical style French mantel clock is crafted from patinated and gilt bronze in addition to flecked black and grey marble. The clock body is formed from a lopsidedly mounted...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm
Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
Category
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Slate & Bronze Clock by Marti
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A STUNNING 19C French Slate & Bronze Clock by Marti.
Made circa 1860 by the famous French Clockmaker, J. Marti et Cie of Paris.
Marti Clocks are highly desirable and highly collectible, BUT this Clock is one of the FINEST EXAMPLES of a Marti Black Slate and Bronze mantel clock we have EVER seen. The bronze detailing is SPECIAL.
From the top, the clock is topped by a floral and ball bronze finial on square plinth or platform.
Then it extends to an angular arched pediment with bronze floral wreath insert into the center.
The next section, consists of a central bronze scene of 2 cherubs floating on water with a fish.
This is flanked on either side by a floral rose medalion in bronze.
It then extends downwards with 2 Corinthian Style bronze columns, with the main insert being bronze neo-classical or goddess figures (each one different than the other).
The dial, clock face...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Slate, Ormolu, Bronze
French Architecturally Formed Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French architecturally formed ormolu mantel clock
French, 19th Century
Height 52cm, width 28cm, depth 17cm
This beautiful Baroque style mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The highly detailed case takes the form of a piece of miniaturised architecture: a campanile of sorts, the top level contains the clock dial while the lower level, approached by shallow steps, is flanked by figurative sculptures and culminates in a bas relief frieze...
Category
19th Century French Baroque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Restauration Gilt Bronze Mounted Crystal Lyre Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Restauration gilt bronze mounted crystal lyre mantel clock
French, circa 1820
Measures: Height 67cm, width 23cm, depth 14cm
This superb mantel c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
Rare Monumental Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Jules Graux of Paris
Located in London, GB
An Exhibition Quality Garniture de Cheminée
By Jules Graux of Paris
Of important size and supreme quality, the mantle clock constructed from white Carr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Brass
Ormolu, White Marble and Tole Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock by Lepaute
By Lepaute, Francois Vion
Located in London, GB
This exceptional mantel clock was created in the early 20th century in France, inspired by an 18th century model by the famous metalworker, François Vion (French, 1737-1790). The clock’s design includes sculptures of the Three Graces holding up a spherical clock with a revolving, or ‘cercle tournant...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Tôle
Burr Walnut and Ormolu Desk Set Signed Appay a Paris
Located in London, GB
Burr walnut and ormolu desk set signed Appay a Paris. A very smart Parisian turn of the 19th century desk set comprising a pair of inkwells with a pin drawer and an 8 day clock above...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large English Late 19th Century Ormolu Strut Clock in Manner of Cole
Located in London, GB
Large beautifully cut and engraved ormolu English Victorian strut clock in the manner of Cole. Silvered dial with engine turned centre with beautifully cut blued steel hands. 8 day l...
Category
1860s English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Louis XVI Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French gilded ormolu clock garniture, having a pair of five branch scrolling foliate candelabra either side. The white enameled clock face with ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Napoleon III Lyre Clock with Ormolu Hands
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A superb Napoleon III Lyre clock by 'Raingo Press, Paris' with an exquistely painted enamel face and finely cast ormolu hands in the shape of lyre. The move...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Ormolu Figural Clock by Monbro Aine, Jacquier & Henri Picard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Imposing 19th century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze striking Mantel clock. Flanked by two sitting cherubs and another two cherubs on top, this is another example of a fine French m...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Circular Movement Mantel Clock by Leroy & Cie
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style circular movement mantel clock by Leroy & Cie
French, circa 1880
Measures: Height 72cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm
This superb mantel clock, crafted from white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze—takes the shape of an Amphora vase form case above a cylindrical stem and a circular foot, the stem and foot ornamented with classicising gilt bronze mounts. The foot of the vase sits on an architecturally formed plinth, which is decorated with inset gilt bronze relief panels...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The combination of sumptuous, lustrous ormolu and finely decorated Sevres style porcelain makes this mantel clock an exceptional piece. Built in France and retailed by the prestigiou...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XV Tortoiseshell Boulle Clock by St Martin, Paris, circa 1720
Located in Norwich, GB
Louis XV tortoiseshell Boulle Timepiece with ‘Silent’ pull quarter repeat by St. Martin, Paris, circa 1720
Waisted case with fine ormolu mounts and cut brass inlay to the stained tortoiseshell with ‘mother of pearl’ and coloured floral decoration. Gilded top surmounted by a cherub feeding through a straw from a scallop shell over leafy corner mounts. Shaped bead-bordered glazed door applied with an apron mount of a child chromos holding a sandglass and staff, set within a leafy trail surround. Brass lined recessed arch windows to the sides, the interior of the case with symmetrical Rococo panel...
Category
1720s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful early 20th Century clock set with later lapis veneer will make a stunning Neoclassical style addition to a mantelpiece and a bold i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Garniture
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. Unusually, the clock and candelabra are constructed entirely of gilt bronze. The bronze dial of the mantel clock is i...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Egyptian Revival Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set is designed in the Egyptian Revival style, which was in vogue in Europe and America in the 19th century. The fashion was kick-started by Emperor Napoleon I’s campaign in Egypt in 1798-1799. This led to the publication of ‘Le Description de l’Égypte’ (The Description of Egypt) in 1809 (and a second edition in 1830), which documented various aspects of Egyptian culture, including the pyramids, antiquities, ancient and modern buildings, Egyptian clothing...
Category
19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Onyx, Marble, Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
This colorful pedestal clock has been crafted from fine red marble and green onyx, and beautifully decorated with gilt bronze (ormolu) and champlevé enamel. While a popular crafts material in ancient times, onyx was largely forgotten about until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century in Algeria by a French marble-worker called Delmonte. Onyx became highly fashionable in France following this discovery, and it was used to create a variety of decorative art objects.
The clock features a green onyx cube-shaped case, which is surmounted by a slightly projecting red marble top. This top is fringed with champlevé enamel drapery-like motifs, with gilt bronze drop-finials. The case is mounted on its front with a circular dial, which features a central floral champlevé enamel motif, encircled by black Arabic Numerals. This dial is set within a gilt bronze egg-and-dart and champlevé enamel bezel. The sides of the case are mounted with circular gilt bronze barometers...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Louis XVI, Ormolu and Sevres Style Mantle Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantle clock, having reclining putti holding garlands of flowers either side a vase of flowers, two serves style porcelain p...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Cut-Glass French Urn Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A beautiful French cut-glass and gilded ormolu Louis XVI style urn mantel clock. Measures: 41cm (16") high. Having 'hobnail cut glass pattern, two scrolling handles with winged lion ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
'Three Graces, ' Three-Piece Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This garniture comprises three pieces: a mantel clock and two flanking candelabra, the entire ensemble designed and ornamented in an ornate neoclassical style. The garniture is compo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in the Louis XV Rococo Style
Located in London, GB
An Elegant Mantle Clock
In the Louis XV Manner
The clock and its plinth executed in gilt bronze in a dynamic rococo style, rising from scrolling foliage, the dial in the shape of a ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Early Tripod Table Clock by Thomas Cole with Glass Dome
Located in London, GB
An extraordinary rustic tripod table clock
by Thomas Cole
Retailed by E. White of London
The circular green velvet-clad base supporting three equidistantly spaced brass imitation logs, from which the clock and its mechanism are suspended; housed within a brass bezel conformingly styled as naturalistic logs, the circular etched and engraved gilt dial with elegant blued steel hands, marked at 6 o'clock "E. White, 20 Cockspur St, London", having the hours marked in Roman numerals; the tapered two-tier movement has a six wheel train with five-spoke crossings between spotted plates, the upper section fixed by blued steel screws to the backplate, enclosing a Brocot-style deadbeat escapement incorporating rubies and train to the centre wheel, the pendulum of most unusual design styled as a lidded cauldron over a simulated fire. Complete with a glass dome and key. The front plate numbered “1637.”
London made, circa 1861
Thomas Cole, (1800-1864)
Son of Thomas Cole Snr, a Somerset clockmaker, his history and works are fully recorded in 'Thomas Cole & Victorian Clockmaking' by John B. Hawkins, published 1975, in Sydney. Known as a specialist in making decorative timepieces of the highest quality, Cole exhibited at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851; he warranted an 'honourable mention' in the Paris Exhibition of 1855 and the London 1862 Exposition International, where he was awarded a medal for 'excellence of taste and design'.
Hawkins discuss Thomas Cole's tripod clocks...
Category
19th Century English Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Brass, Ormolu, Bronze
French Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock Stamped in Bronze H. Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
French Ormolu and porcelain mantel clock of Classical design dating from the mid-19th century stamped in the mint and original Ormolu H. Picard. Numbered in the bronze, 1297. The original ormolu is in quite pristine and totally original condition. The case inset with painted porcelain panels with fruit and floral decoration in the classical style. The clock surmounted by a Bacchanalian mask and two handled vase with grapes, standing on six vase shaped feet on a velvet plinth...
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze and Lapis French Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This exquisite early 19th century mantel clock is mounted with gilt bronze and has benefited from the addition of a later lapis lazuli veneer. The clock is formed of a cylindrical clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze Cylindrical Mantel Clock with Emblems of Love
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze cylindrical mantel clock with emblems of love
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 40cm, diameter 17cm
This fabulously quirky mantel clock is modelled to depict Cup...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu mantel clock standing on a stepped base and resting on turned, chased feet with acanthus leaf decoration below a finely chased...
Category
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Honoré Pons
By Honoré Pons
Located in London, GB
This mantel clock is a truly beautiful piece of design, crafted by the leading early 19th century French clock-maker, Pierre-César Honoré Pons. Honoré Pons...
Category
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock Lerolle Freres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French 19th Century Louis XV Style gilt bronze figural cartel clock by Lerolle Frères, the finely frame body with a circular face with Roman numerals, the ce...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Napoleon III Ormolu and Marble Carriage Clock signed by Ed. Chartier
Located in London, GB
A beautiful French Napoleon III ormolu carriage clock, with all five panels mounted in red marble. The marble panels overlaid with original gilt bronze neoclassical figures and acant...
Category
1880s French Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Small Ormolu French Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Small French Ormolu Cartel clock in a finely decorated case.
Enamel dial with Roman numerals and original gilded hands.
Eight day Fr...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Fine Quality 19th Century Sevres Style Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 19th century French Sevres style porcelain and gilded ormolu clock garniture. The pair of five branch gilded ormolu candelabra each having Sevres style porcelain urns and pedestals with classical romantic scenes painted on them. The clock having an impressive lidded porcelain urn above with gilded handles either side, scrolling foliate ormolu mounts above the porcelain faced eight day duration clock that chimes...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Louis XV Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
Designed in a fanciful Louis XV style, this beautiful mantel clock takes the form of an Asian elephant, saddled with a howdah (carriage). The clock features a patinated sculpture of ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Clock Set by Denière
Located in London, GB
This clock set contains a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. The central mantel clock is formed of a rectangular gilt bronze mounted grey marble base. Raised on four gilt bronze ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set was created in France in circa 1870, in the late 19th century. The set, which consists of a mantel clock and pair of candelabra is crafted from gilt bronze (...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Ormolu and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mounted Clock Set in the Louis XVI Manner
Located in London, GB
A clock garniture in the Louis XVI Manner
By Le Roy et Fils
The ormolu clock case and accompanying candelabra dressed with blue 'Sevres' style hand ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Three-Piece Tortoiseshell and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French three-piece tortoiseshell and gilt bronze clock set
French, late 19th century
Clock: Height 55cm, width 26cm, depth 15cm
Candelabra: Height 46cm, width 22cm, depth 20cm
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Hand-Painted Enamel Carriage Clock with Allegorical Themes
Located in London, GB
A fine cased carriage clock
The substantially sized 'Gorge' case houses a lever platform escapement, striking the hours and half hours on a blued st...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Steel, 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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