French Empire Style Ormolu Mantel Clock with Classical Figure
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Empire Style - The Empire style was a version of neo-classicism popular from 1800 to 1830, coinciding with the rule of Napoleon I from 1840-15. In England the style corrosponds with the Regency style and in the United States to the Federal style.
The style is inspired by classical Rome and Greece, as reflected in the decorative motifs in the the design such as paterae, guilloches, acanthus and swags, and pieces are lavishly decorated with applied gilded decoration. - Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
- Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A fine quality French Empire period ormolu figural mantel clock, modelled with a classical seated winged female figure, cornucopia and two handled urn, the oblong plinth base with applied ornate leaf, flower and scroll decoration, standing on four feet, c.
An impressive 19th century French, Charles X ormolu sculptural mantel clock, the gilded circular dial with black enamelled Roman numerals housed within an arched top case surmounted by a female figure with harp, an angel standing beside with an open musica
Empire gilt bronze mantel clock. First quarter 19th century, with a young boy holding a flaming torch in a chariot pulled by two butterflies, the wheel forms the enamelled dial, with Roman numerals, on a rectangular base adorned with foliage an musical ins
An impressive 19th century French Empire gilt and patinated bronze sculptural mantel clock, 'Daphne Holding Apollo's Harp', the engine turned dial with Roman numerals with snake surround all above a recumbent nymph, surmounted by a lyre harp and wreath upo