antique pair of french enamelled opera glasse c.1880

This is a beautiful antique French mother of pearl and enamelledormolu pair of opera glasses in its original leather case,circa 1880 in date.

Thetelescopic glasses feature beautiful painted country scenes of a courting couple enjoying a leisurely day in the contryside..This lovely pair would make an ideal accessory for your next visit to the opera or theatre.Condition:Excellent original and untouched condition, please see photos.Dimensions in cm:Height 4 x Width 10 x Depth 7Dimensions in inches:Height 2 inches x Width 4 inches x Depth 3 inches
Our reference: 06812
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).

Width (cm):

10

Height (cm):

4

Depth (cm):

7

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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