antique french ormolu tazza with limoges enamel plaque 19th c

This is an impressive and highly decorative French ormolu tazza, mid 19th Century in date.

It features twin handles to either side and the centre is inset with a beautiful Limoges enamel plaque depicting a lady in Renaissance clothing. It is raised on four scrolling supports on a Carrara marble base with a central ormolu rosette and an ormolu underside.Condition:In reallyexcellent condition having been beautifully cleaned in our workshops,, please see photos for confirmation.Dimensions in cm:Height 25 x Width 34 x Depth 28Dimensions in inches:Height 10 inches x Width 1 foot, 1 inch x Depth 11 inches
Our reference: 09026
Limoges enamel
has been produced at Limoges, in south-western France, over several centuries up to the present.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..

Antiques.co.uk Ref: 69W42KR4X

Width (cm):

34

Height (cm):

25

Depth (cm):

28

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