antique french marquetry ormolu mounted jardiniere 19th century

This is a superb antique French ormolu mounted mahogany and marquetry table jardiniere, circa 1860 in date.

This beautiful jardiniereis serpentine in shape with splendid ormolu mountsthe pierced gallery above specimen wood lattice panels flanked by ram's head and laurel pilasters with side handles and a with a lift-out metal liner. The craftsmanship and finish are second to none.Condition:In excellent original condition having been beautifully cleaned polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.Dimensions in cm:Height 21 x Width 42 x Depth 27Dimensions in inches:Height 8 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 11 inches
Our reference: A2248
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: YPPVR2Q8Y

Width (cm):

42

Height (cm):

21

Depth (cm):

27

Please note that this price may NOT include delivery charges which the seller may charge extra for.

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Regent Antiques Limited

We are one of the UK's premier furniture dealers and have been trading in London for three decades. We specialise in English and Continental furniture, silver, porcelain, and decorative items both antique and contemporary. We exhibit our collection in classy showrooms in our large warehouse very close to the centre of London.

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