French Ormolu Mantel Clock, 19th Century
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.
- 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:
- clocks, mantle & shelf, material or style - gilt metal / ormolu 536
- clocks, mantle & shelf, period or origin
Visually similar items
Hardy Brothers black slate clock with gilded columns, face and a pressed metal panel of cherubs, has a key and pendulum. Height 29 cm
A bracket clock in oak case with silvered dial and Roman numerals, marked 'Hardy Bros. Sydney & Brisbane', late 19th century, 40 cm
A 19th century walnut cased cuckoo clock eight day movement, housed in round top walnut case, standing 44 cm high base measures 30 x, 17 cm
Slate mantle clock with key and pendulum with white enamel dial and Roman numerals, surrounded by black slate with marble columns and graduated base, height 28 cm, width 26 cm, depth 17 cm