Empire Mantel 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
Vintage Atmos Jaeger le Coultre Mantle Clock 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a very elegant Vintage Atmos perpetual mantle clock by Jaeger-Le Coultre, with a jewelled movement bearing their ref No. 88942 and dating from Circa 1950.
The clock is disp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Brass
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 Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A captivating three-piece mantel clock, from 19th century France, crafted in Siena marble and gilt bronze, with multiple stylistic reference points from the Grand Tour of Europe. The...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendule
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
“Horatius & the Fall of Rome” French Empire Antique Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH RESTAURATION ORMOLU & PATINATED BRONZE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCK OF ROMAN PHILOSOPHER HORATIUS
Paris, circa 1820; silk-suspension movement signed "Etablissement Barbot de Paris"
Item # 010CVX22A
An incredibly fine Restauration period clock, it depicts a seated figure of the important Roman philosopher Horatius holding a scroll in his right hand while waving his hand over the results of war: ruins of a column and remains of an architectural mural...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
This Empire period clock (circa 1800-1810) is composed of a marble terrace topped by two flat columns decor...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Gilt French Empire Table Clock, Early 1800s
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire table clock, first half of the 19th century.
Measures: Width 30, depth 11, height 38 cm. Key included.
Later added hatch at back. F...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Brass
French Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock of Ceres, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE ORMOLU BRONZE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCK OF CERES, GODDESS OF AGRICULTURE
Movement by Etienne Tavernier; France, circa 1815
Item # 104HWG22Z
A fine Empire period mantel clock with bun feet raising a rectangular base with a central portrait of Bacchus flanked by exquisitely chiseled motif of swirling foliage surmounted by a figure of the goddess Ceres grasping in her lowered hand a wreath woven with foliage and berries while in her garment she collects a bountiful harvest; she rests beside the clock tower with a framed lens opening to access the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals inscribed Etn. Tavernier set with Breguet style hands, raising an urn filled with fruits of the soil; against the tower rest the implements of labor, a shovel and flat rake. The movement is engraved "B".
A significant clock movement maker, Etienne Tavernier (French, 1756-1839) is listed in Tardy's horology reference as working closely with the house of Abraham-Louis Breguet as well as providing clock movements...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt bronze clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
French, Early 19th Century
Height 45cm, width 29cm, depth 19cm
This superb gilt bronze clock, created by the renow...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Empire ormolu clock signed Ravrio, 19th century circa 1805
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Patinated bronze and mercury gilt bronze mantel clock featuring a vestal virgin dressed in the antique manner leaning her elbows on the Love altar. The enameled dial is signed by Rav...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Hartmann À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
An exceptional 19th-century Empire-style mantel clock by Hartmann à Paris, meticulously crafted in gilt bronze. This distinguished timepiece showcases a finely detailed white enamel ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
Figural mantel clock signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal”
The bronze figural mantel clock depicting one of the mythical heroes - Orpheus originates from the Empire period. The cloc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Cérés À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Empire clock signed à Paris
The mantel clock is in gilded bronze representing Ceres as a goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain crops and motherly relationships. In ancient Rom...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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 Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
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 Mantel Clocks
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
This nineteenth-century gilded bronze clock exemplifies the grandeur of the Empire style, featuring a rectangular base with four legs, each intricately carved with subtle patterns. A...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel 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 Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Portico Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant period Empire ormolu-mounted white marble portico clock, circa 1830, is from France. The floral-and-foliate ormolu-mounted frieze sits above four Doric columns with gilt...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble
Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the form of a putto with a wheel barrow carrying a keg mounted with a clock face topped by a crane, on a rectangular chased plinth ending in bun feet.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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 Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Ormolu Mantel Clock, Atala freeing Chactas, Paris, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock "Atala and Chactas"
Paris
Bronze (fire-gilt and patinated), enamel
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 40 x 32 x 11 cm
Description:
Very rare and extremely high quality French mantel clock, so-called Pendule Au Bon Sauvage.
Depicted are scenes from the love story "Atala or the love of two savages in the desert" written by Francois René Vicomte de Chateaubriand in 1801. At the beginning of the 19th century, this was probably the most famous love story in Europe, but today it has been forgotten.
The story, set in present-day Louisiana (USA), is roughly rewritten about the forbidden love between Chactas, a young Indian, and Atala, the beautiful daughter of a Spaniard.
Chactas is captured in a battle between two Indian tribes, chained to a palm tree and is to be sacrificed. Atala wants to save his life and convert him to Christianity. She unties him from the palm tree at night and they flee together into the wilderness of North America. Their love for each other grows stronger and stronger and they have prospects for a future together.
The story takes a tragic turn when Atala, who must remain a virgin due to a vow made by her mother, can no longer withstand the conflict of her feelings and commits suicide.
The main group of characters thus shows Chacta's liberation through Atala. Atala is leaning against a pile of logs. The animal fur thrown over the logs and the weapons leaning against the stack on the right give the impression of a night camp.
The bronze is of rarely beautiful quality, finely chiselled and makes the scene appear very lively. The contrast of fire-gilded and patinated bronze adds tension to the composition.
In the base we see the Entombment as the end of the tragic love story. This bronze work is also very detailed, the interplay of bright and matt gilding makes the flat relief appear much deeper than it is.
The depiction of the mantel clock presented here shows that the exotic was only known from stories and that the bronzier had his own ideas about the appearance of this distant world. The Indian, for example, has very European facial features and his skin was not black in reality, of course. The palm tree was also certainly not found in the North American wilderness.
The heart of the clock is a French pendulum movement, integrated into the wooden pile, with an eight-day power reserve and a lock plate striking a bell on the half and full hour. The pendulum is suspended on a thread, typical of the period. The classically shaped hands, so-called Breguet hands, are also typical of the time.
The enamelled dial has black Roman hour numerals, Arabic quarter hours and bears the signature: Le Roy hr. de Madame A PARIS.
Interesting facts:
The period from 1795 to about 1815 saw the creation of probably the most spectacular group of bronzes: The "Au bon Sauvage" pendulums - depictions of the "Noble Savage".
Today's viewers react to these objects with both fascination and irritation. Enthusiastic on the one hand about the obvious quality of the detailed bronzes and the allure of the exotic, on the other hand distanced and cautious because of the possible discrimination that is suspected behind them. The ambivalence of this feeling motivates the search for the conditions of origin of these pendulums.
Europeans found their new ideal of the natural man primarily in fictional and realistic travelogues about the Indians of North America...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Large Antique Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Deverberie
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt-bronze mantel clock by Deverberie
French, c.1805
Measures: Height 67cm, width 54cm, depth 19cm
This exceptional timepiece was made in Empire period Fr...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Stunning three-piece mantel clock set in Siena marble and bronze, French Empire period. The main piece at center features a cast bronze hound sitting uneasily upon the plinth. Roman ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clock, Portal Pendule, Paris circa 1820
By Duval
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French round arch portal clock
France (Paris)
Bronze, enamel
Empire circa 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 47 x 26 x 12 cm
Description:
Very beautiful, strictly architecturally...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio
Located in New Orleans, LA
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock
André Antoine Ravrio
Circa 1800
This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
The Astronomy Lesson French Empire Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent French Empire ormolu mantel clock features the iconic Neoclassical genre scene often referred to as "The Astronomy Lesson." A popular motif during this period, Emper...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
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 Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Ormulu Bronze Mantel Clock, Lepaute, Thomire, Paris, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Ormulu pendule with depiction of friendship and love
Paris (Lepaute, Thomire)
fire-gilt bronze
Empire around 1815
Dimensions: H x W x D: 44 x 36 x 13 cm
French pendulum movement with eight days duration. Thread suspension and lock disc striking movement with strike on bell on the half and full hour.
White enamel dial with Roman hour numerals and Breguet hands.
Signature: LePaute & Fils / Hrl. du Roi (Pierre-Basile Lepaute (1750 - 1843) with his son Pierre-Michel Lepaute (1785-1849); from 1811 in joint workshop).
Description:
The extremely high quality pendulum shown here takes up a profound theme: Friendship, which combines with love and can thereby outlast time and death. As it is typical for the epoch of classicism, personifications and symbols are taken from the fund of ancient mythology and art and then developed further.
The main figure is a young woman in an antique, girded garment, standing barefoot and with crossed legs next to an altar, on which she is leaning with her left elbow. She gracefully bows her head towards a tempestuously approaching Cupid, grasps his right hand with her left and draws him to her bosom, the seat of the heart. The delicate ambivalence of flying towards and being held culminates in the trustingly intimate look that the two cast at each other.
The young woman personifies friendship, the winged Cupid love. As a sign of their intimate connection, two burning hearts appear on the altar next to the two, framed by the puffed scarf, which are closely bound together by a chain of flowers.
Next to them, on the altar slab, one can see an erected book with the title "Amitie" (French: amitie, friendship). Supporting the book is a pomegranate held by a ring of pomegranate flowers. The bursting seeds spill out of the cracked skin. Since ancient times, the pomegranate and its blossoms have been dedicated to the goddess Persephone, symbolizing the underworld and death, but also life and fertility. The myrtle interwoven in the pomegranate flower wreath of "friendship" also has a far-reaching symbolic power: the plant was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, stands for virginity, and was and is therefore obligatory in the bridal wreath...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Michel-François Piolaine
By Michel-François Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive gilt bronze mantel clock is by the French Michel-François Piolaine. The clock body is raised by an architecturally formed, plinth-shaped base, set to the fr...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene.
Stock number: CC59.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Clock in Gilt Bronze, Signed Grandvoinnet
By Grandvoinnet
Located in NICE, FR
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the early 19th century with our exquisite French Empire mantel clock in gilt bronze. It. bears the signature of Grandvoinnet.
Not only does thi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Early 19th Century Pendule Portefaix, Mantel Clock, Paris and Brussels, c. 1810
By J. J. Hanset Bruxelles 1
Located in Greven, DE
Empire Pendule Portefaix
Paris, Brussels
Bronze, enamel
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 36 x 28 x 11 cm
Description:
Beautiful, fire-gilded and patinated bronze mantel c...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
19th Century French Marble & Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Signed By Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transport yourself to the grandeur of the 19th century with this exquisite French Marble and Bronze Figural Mantel Clock. A true masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, this clock...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Clock, Miniature Matelot "Au Bon Sauvage", circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Miniature Empire Bronze Clock - Matelot
Paris
fire-gilded and patinated bronze
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 18 x 14 x 9 cm
Description:
Very rare miniature of the famous Pendule Matelot "Au Bon Sauvage". The depiction deals with an important topic of the time, trade with the colonies.
The rectangular base stands on pressed ball feet. Attached to the front, we see two cornucopias filled with exotic fruits and held by a bow.
A young sailor, dressed in a raffia skirt and feather jewellery...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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 Mantel Clocks
Materials
Wood
French Inlaid Portico Empire Style Mantle Clock
Located in Kingston, NY
French 19th-century mantle clock features a bronze and inlaid veined wood veneer portico design. The clock is adorned with gilded ornaments, including a decorative pendulum and intri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French gilt bronze pendulum allegory Astronomy, astrolabe ormolu. Empire.
Located in Milano, IT
Antica pendola francese rappresentante l'allegoria dell'Astronomia con cassa in bronzo dorato e globo celeste blu. Various elements recall the theme of astronomy: seated intent on st...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Gilt-Bronze Clock Depicting Diana the Huntress. French, c 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire Period gilt bronze clock depicting Diana the huntress.
The dial signed 'Thomas a Paris'.
The white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands, the case sur...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
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 Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Rare Gilt-bronze French Empire Charles X Sunflower Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Gilt and patinated bronze. The original movement has been cleaned and revised and is in perfect working condition (runs for around one week). Overall authentic condition with its ori...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 23.5cm, depth 11cm
This mantel clock was finely crafted in the Empire period, wrought from ormolu and a later malachite veneer.
The design of the clock is based on classical architecture. It features a malachite entablature—with an ormolu pierced mount to the front—which is supported on four ormolu bun feet. The malachite column shafts are smooth and each culminate in a capital, supporting the malachite top. Between the columns, there is a drum clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Empire Clock
Located in Bronx, NY
Tis stunning vintage 19th century French Empire white marble mantel (fireplace) clock was made for Tiffany & Co. The clock has a lyre shape body accented with doré' bronze sculpted embellishments of the period. The top of the clock features a radiating sun burst disc with the face of the North wind. The white enamel clock face has Arabic numerals & garlands of flowers &, also, garlands of flowers that surround the Tiffany & Co. name. There is a glittering ring of faceted paste stones attached to the pendulum &, as the pendulum moves, so does this jeweled ring, creating a dazzling effect. The clock has a key wind movement with a French bell. The clock key is present. This clock runs, but will require a cleaning/service to keep accurate time & is sold as is. This wonderful antique time piece...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Enamel
19th Century French Empire Portico Mantel Clock in Original Glass Dome
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep time in your office, study, or atop your mantel with this elegant antique clock in the original glass dome. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the portico clock stands on a wooden g...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Brass
Very Large French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly, Paris, Circa 1810s, with original pendulum.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu-Mounted Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality empire ormolu-mounted patinated bronze and rouge royale marble mantel clock.
The patinated bronze figures depicting cupid and psyche. Attributed to Pierre-Victor Ledure...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Mantel Clock of Two Cupids Signed Coeur
Located in London, GB
exceptionally rare French Empire mantel clock of two cupids signed Coeur fils Rue St Honore No 140 a Paris. This small mantel clock of exceptional q...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Figural Bronze Clock Depicting an Allegory to Prudence or Wisdom
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare model of a French Empire mantle clock depicting an allegory to "La Prudenzia" or Prudence, Wisdom or Sound Judgement. This virtue is represented as a patinated bronze statue of of a classically draped bearded standing male figure leaning on a gilt bronze plinth legs crossed and with a sword in its scabbard by his side. There is an an open scroll on top of the plinth held in place by the figure's elbow arm raised and forefinger of his hand pointing at his temple in a gesture associated with thinking. The plinth housing the clock dial and movement is decorated with a serpent coiled around a rod which along with the sword and scroll are associated with "La Prudenzia".
The whole sits on a gilded rectangular base decorated with a finely cast frieze centred by a rondel showing the two Janus heads...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Rare French Empire Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze Signed Lepaute
By Jean-André Lepaute 1
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An extremely rare and important French Empire mantle clock signed by the master clock making dynasty of Jean-Andre Lepaute and his brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute.
The case, in the form of an antique portal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Miniatur Mantel Clock, Gare La Bombe, Cupido, France, Gilded Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Pendulette "Gare La Bombe"
France
gilded bronze
first half 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 20 x 15 x 7 cm
Description:
Antique miniature mante...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm
This fine gilt bronze man...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Venus Clipping the Wings of Cupid Mantel Clock by Thomire & Cie
By Louis Moinet, 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 Mantel Clocks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th-Century Flame Mahogany Mantel Clock by Breguet Raised by Lion Paw Feet
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An extremely rare mantel clock with a figured mahogany-veneered case by A-L Breguet
Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), who was of Swiss origin, is undoubtedly the most celebrated clockmaker of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in France. He is responsible for the invention of the self-winding watch, the tourbillon and the sympathetic watch ( a watch that is placed in a cradle of a special clock. It is then linked by means of a pin fixed behind the clock dial. Built into the motion work which, when released by the clock, automatically sets the hands to the clock's time as well as correcting the watch's regulator necessitated by any degree of inaccuracy registered at the moment of synchronisation) and many other horological improvements and developments. Around the year 1807 Breguet brought in his son, Antoine-Louis (born 1776), as a business partner, and from this point, the firm became known as Breguet et Fils. Breguet had previously sent his son to London to study with the great English chronometer maker John Arnold...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Brass
Grand French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Constructed in bronze, patinated and gilt; the rectangular form case supported on engraved oblate spherical feet, the frieze dressed with a row of female masks capping pillars, linke...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, 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 Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Ormolu
Rare Empire Clock Au Nègre in Gilded Bronze Ormolu Denière et Matelin
Located in Pistoia, IT
Rare and splendid Empire-era clock in ormolu gilded and cold-patinated bronze, Parisian manufacture called "Au Nègre" by Maison Denière et Matelin. Circa 1805 era.
The watch has m...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb 19th century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Egyptian style Mantel Clock
This clock was produced in the Fr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Empire-Style Longcase Clock
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive mahogany longcase clock with gilt and sculpted decorative bronze elements such as fantastic animals, diamond-shaped patterns, scrollwork, and foliage. This floor clock is ...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mantel clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mantel 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 mantel clocks, popular names associated with this style include Claude Galle, Breguet a Paris, C. Maniere, and Claude Hemon. 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 mantel clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $960 and tops out at $102,428 while the average work can sell for $8,222.