This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, Circa 1870 in date.
The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very decorativegilt-bronze border.
The frieze has three oak lined drawers and is profusely decorated with gilt bronze anthemion plaques. The desk features large Egyptian Revival neo classical winged sphinxes on each corner and is raised on four square section tapering legs terminating in ormolu feet.
It is freestanding, finished all around, so it can stand freely in the centre of a room.
It is an absolutemasterpiece which is sure to get attention wherever it is placed.
Complete with original working lock and key.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 82 x Width 182 x Depth 92
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 8 inches x Width 6 feet x Depth 3 foot
Our reference: A1310
Gilt Bronze- 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: ETC2UD7PJ
- Width (cm):
- 182
- Height (cm):
- 82
- Depth (cm):
- 92
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