Ormolu and Bronze French 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.
- Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
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
A French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock surmounted with the figure of Mercury, the messenger of the gods. 50 cm high
A rouge marble and gilt bronze mantle clock signed Chaude, Palais Royal, French, circa 1865, 42 cm high, 27 cm wide, 19 cm wide
Ansonia open escapement mantel clock. Black japanned cast iron base, mounted with classical figure of the arts in spelter. Key available. Operating, but unserviced. Height 41 cm width 52 cm
A scarlet boulle and gilt metal bracket clock on stand in the Louis XIV style, 93 cm high