This is a superb antique Victorian ormolu mountedburr walnut, kingwoodand marquetry inlaid credenza, Circa 1850 in date.
Oozing sophistication and charm, this credenza is the absolute epitome of Victorian high society. Its attention to detail and lavish decoration are certain to draw the eye wherever you choose to place it in your home.
The entire piece highlights the unique and truly exceptional pattern of the burr walnut extremely well.It is beautifully decorated with fabulous gilded ormolu mounts, a floral marquetry frieze and the central oval panel has stunning intricate hand cut floral marquetry decoration on an ebonised ground, the work of a Victorian master craftsman.
This credenza is bow ended with elegant bow glass doors on either side, with a shaped panelled centre door which opens to reveal a cupboard with plenty of room to house your drinks, glasses and crockery while the interior has been relined in a sumptuous blue velvet.
The credenza israised on a scalloped plinth base and is complete with working locks and keys.
Its attention to detail and lavish ormolu decorations are certain to draw the eye wherever you choose to place it in your home.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and the interior relined in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 114 x Width 185 x Depth 46
Dimensions in inches:
Height 3 foot, 9 inches x Width 6 feet, 1 inch x Depth 1 foot, 6 inches
Our reference: A1992
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.
Marquetry
is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, mother of pearl, pewter, brass silver or shell) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers.
The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique.
Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing shell and brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs.
Antiques.co.uk Ref: EWXEBNUQ5
- Width (cm):
- 185
- Height (cm):
- 114
- Depth (cm):
- 46
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