This is a beautiful antique French kingwood, malachite and ormolu mounted vitrine in the French Louis XV manner, circa 1870 in date.
This beautiful cabinet hasan abundance of exquisite decorativeormolumounts inset with malachite. The domed cornice above a glazed panelled door enclosing adjustable shelves, above a drawer, and raised on elegant ebonised feet.
Complete with working locks and keys.
It will add a touch of unparalleled style to your home andis perfect for displaying your collection of silver or porcelain.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully restored and relined in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 227 x Width 113 x Depth 51
Dimensions in inches:
Height 7 foot, 5 inches x Width 3 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 8 inches
Our reference: A1292
Kingwood
is a classic furniture wood, almost exclusively used for inlays on very fine furniture. Occasionally it is used in the solid for small items and turned work, including parts of billiard cues, e.g., those made by JohnParris. It is brownish-purple with many fine darker stripes and occasional irregular swirls. Occasionally it contains pale streaks of a similarcolourto sapwood.
The wood is very dense and hard and can be brought to a spectacular finish. it turns well but due to its density and hardness can be difficult to work with hand tools. It also hasa tendency to blunt the tools due to its abrasiveproperties.
Ormolu -(from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-caratgoldin amercuryamalgamto an object ofbronze.The mercury is driven off in akilnleaving behind a gold-coloured veneerknown as'gilt bronze'.
The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding orfire-gilding, in which a solution ofnitrate of mercuryis applied to a piece ofcopper,brass, or bronze, followed by the application of anamalgamof 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.Electroplatingis the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used onsilver, to producesilver-gilt..
Malachite is an opaque, green banded mineral. It is believed to be a strong protector of children. It protects the wearer from accidents and protects travellers. Malachite has been used to aid success in business and protect against undesirable business associations. It is a stone of balance in relationships.
Malachite is always green, usually in banded tones varying from very dark green to a mellow green. Most malachite comes from Zaire, Chile and Australia.
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used malachite for jewellery and ground it to use as eye shadow. It is used in amulets to protect against the evil eye. In the Middle Ages it was used to protect children from witches and other dangers.
Antiques.co.uk Ref: 5NFM9BH52
- Width (cm):
- 113
- Height (cm):
- 227
- Depth (cm):
- 51
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