What defines a 19th-century French ormolu mantel clock?

A 19th-century French ormolu mantel clock is a decorative timepiece crafted from gilded bronze, often featuring intricate figurative sculptures, allegorical themes, and elaborate Rococo or Neoclassical scrollwork driven by an 8-day pendulum movement.

What materials were traditionally used in crafting French figural clocks?

These clocks typically feature heavy cast bronze coated in mercury gilding (ormolu), white enamel or porcelain clock dials with Roman numerals, finely cut steel hands, and carved giltwood bases beneath protective blown-glass domes.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century French clocks?

Authentic pieces generally display finely chased metalwork details, hand-painted or enamelled dial plates, maker stamps or signatures on the back plate of the movement, and natural patination or mild oxidisation on the gilded bronze surfaces.

How can an antique ormolu clock be styled in contemporary interiors?

Place the clock as a focal decorative piece atop a fireplace mantelpiece, marble console table, or dark wood sideboard to contrast traditional gilded casting against modern or minimalist backdrops.

What is the proper way to care for and preserve gilt bronze and glass display domes?

Dust the glass dome regularly with a microfiber cloth and avoid applying liquid chemicals, water, or abrasive polishes directly to the gilded surface, as harsh cleaning can strip or degrade historic mercury gilding.

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Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

Name: Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1202027
Price: 4750 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a lovely antique French Rococo revival ormolu, (gilt bronze) mantel clock with glass dome and giltwood base by the renowned clock maker, Leroy A Paris, circa 1880 in date.

The clock features a beautifully cast ormolu Genius of Music 'Le Genie de la Musique' in the form of a Renaissance-style figure with a small organ and a violin resting besides the circular enamel dial with rare blue Arabic and Roman numerals, signed Leroy A Paris, raised on a shaped rectangular base decorated with cherubs.

The clock has a half quarter chime movement with silk suspension and is complete with pendulum, bell and two keys with it's original glass dome and giltwood base.

Julien Leroy A Paris, born in 1765, was a renowned maker of antique clocks, who revolutionized the world of horology with his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. Leroy’s passion for precision and dedication to his craft earned him recognition as one of the greatest clockmakers of his time. He was appointed clockmaker to the French royal court and had the honour of creating timepieces for influential figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Louis XVIII.

This incredible clock is a must have for any collector of ornamental and decorative pieces.

Condition:

The clock is in really excellent working condition.

The gilding is in really superb original condition as the ormolu has been protected by the glass dome.

The movement having been cleaned and serviced by our horologist, and the ormolu case cleaned and polished, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 66 cm x Width 46 cm x Depth 24 cm - Including Dome

Height 53 cm x Width 37 cm x Depth 18 cm - Clock

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 6 inches x Depth 9 inches - Including Dome

Height 1 foot, 9 inches x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 7 inches - Clock

Leroy A Paris

Julien Leroy A Paris, born in 1765, was a renowned maker of antique clocks, who revolutionized the world of horology with his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. Leroy’s passion for precision and dedication to his craft earned him recognition as one of the greatest clockmakers of his time. He was appointed clockmaker to the French royal court and had the honour of creating timepieces for influential figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Louis XVIII.

Leroy A Paris’s legacy lives on through his remarkable clocks, which continue to mesmerize collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Each Leroy clock tells a story of unparalleled craftsmanship, artistic ingenuity, and a dedication to excellence that remains unrivaled even in the modern era. Owning a Leroy A Paris antique clock is a testament to the timeless beauty of his creations but also a tribute to the enduring legacy of a true master of the craft.

Invest in a piece of horological history today. Add a Leroy A Paris timepiece to your collection and experience the unmatched craftsmanship that has captivated generations of admirers.

Ormolu - Gilt Bronze (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the sam

Physical Dimensions

Height

66cm (25.98")

Width

46cm (18.11")

Depth

24cm (9.45")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this French Ormolu Mantel Clock to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1202027

Dealers Internal Reference

A4904

Description

This is a lovely antique French Rococo revival ormolu, (gilt bronze) mantel clock with glass dome and giltwood base by the renowned clock maker, Leroy A Paris, circa 1880 in date.

The clock features a beautifully cast ormolu Genius of Music 'Le Genie de la Musique' in the form of a Renaissance-style figure with a small organ and a violin resting besides the circular enamel dial with rare blue Arabic and Roman numerals, signed Leroy A Paris, raised on a shaped rectangular base decorated with cherubs.

fig 1. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 1. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

“

The clock has a half quarter chime movement with silk suspension and is complete with pendulum, bell and two keys with it's original glass dome and giltwood base.

Regent Antiques

Julien Leroy A Paris, born in 1765, was a renowned maker of antique clocks, who revolutionized the world of horology with his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. Leroy’s passion for precision and dedication to his craft earned him recognition as one of the greatest clockmakers of his time. He was appointed clockmaker to the French royal court and had the honour of creating timepieces for influential figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Louis XVIII.

fig 2. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 2. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

This incredible clock is a must have for any collector of ornamental and decorative pieces.

Condition:

The clock is in really excellent working condition.

The gilding is in really superb original condition as the ormolu has been protected by the glass dome.

fig 3. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 3. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

The movement having been cleaned and serviced by our horologist, and the ormolu case cleaned and polished, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 66 cm x Width 46 cm x Depth 24 cm - Including Dome

fig 4. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 4. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

Height 53 cm x Width 37 cm x Depth 18 cm - Clock

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 6 inches x Depth 9 inches - Including Dome

Height 1 foot, 9 inches x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 7 inches - Clock

fig 5. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 5. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

Leroy A Paris

fig 6. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 6. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

Leroy A Paris’s legacy lives on through his remarkable clocks, which continue to mesmerize collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Each Leroy clock tells a story of unparalleled craftsmanship, artistic ingenuity, and a dedication to excellence that remains unrivaled even in the modern era. Owning a Leroy A Paris antique clock is a testament to the timeless beauty of his creations but also a tribute to the enduring legacy of a true master of the craft.

fig 7. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 7. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

Invest in a piece of horological history today. Add a Leroy A Paris timepiece to your collection and experience the unmatched craftsmanship that has captivated generations of admirers.

Ormolu - Gilt Bronze (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

fig 8. A 19th-century French ormolu figural mantel clock featuring a gilded male figure standing beside an ornate clock mechanism beneath a clear glass display dome. — fig 8. Antique French Sevres Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Paris 19th Century

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the sam