This is a beautiful antique French LouisRevival circular centre table with ornate ormolu decoration typical of the Louis XIV period, circa 1870.
The inset marble top has a three-quarter length pierced brass gallery with a single drawer beneath. The four tapering legs are joined by an undertier,and terminate in ormolu lion's paw feet.
There is no mistaking the unique quality and elaborate design, which is certain to make it a talking point in your home and a fine embellishment to your reception room.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 79 x Width 59 x Depth 59
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 7 inches x Width 1 foot, 11 inches x Depth 1 foot, 11 inches
Our reference: 09194
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.
No true ormolu was produced in France after around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury. Therefore, other techniques were used instead but nothing surpasses the original mercury-firing ormolu method for sheer beauty and richness of colour.Electroplatingis the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used onsilver, to producesilver-gilt(also known asvermeil).
Antiques.co.uk Ref: 2V3E2PV68
- Width (cm):
- 59
- Height (cm):
- 79
- Depth (cm):
- 59
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