antique gilt bronze & samson porcelain centrepiece 19th century

This is a fine antique French Samson porcelain centrepiece, Circa 1860 in date.

The octagonal shaped centrepiece features a colourful relief body decorated with flower sprays and a Chinese dragon. It is raised on a heavy set pierced and scrolled ormolu Rococo leaf work base with a matching rim. The base bears a blue painted makers mark for Samson..This item is of superb quality, is incredibly rare, and will instantly enhance any room.Condition:In really excellent original condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:Height 18 x Width 26 x Depth 26Dimensions in inches:Height 7 inches x Width 10 inches x Depth 10 inches
Our reference: A1976
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: U2F2HFM8M

Width (cm):

26

Height (cm):

18

Depth (cm):

26

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