vintage french empire revival coffee table 20th century

This is a stunning Vintage walnut and marquetry inlaid French coffee table, in the elegant Empire style, with fabulous decorativeormolumounts,dating from the last quarter of the20thcentury.

It has stunning ormolu decoration with mounts, sphinx and lion's paw feet and ormolu borders.
Condition:In really excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.Dimensions in cm:Height 48 x Width 101 x Depth 101Dimensions in inches:Height 1 foot, 7 inches x Width 3 foot, 4 inches x Depth 3 foot, 4 inches
Our reference: A1961
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).ou can find.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: 3XTUVXCFB

Width (cm):

101

Height (cm):

48

Depth (cm):

101

Here on antiques co uk we love antiques and specialise in selling antiques. Even though this item was for sale and is now sold or otherwise now unavailable we have many more items for sale including vintage antiques, silver, tables, watches, jewellery and much more for your interiors and home.

Search all the antiques currently for sale on www.antiques co uk. Or why not consider selling your antiques and making sales more easily with us!