Object Description
This is a fine antique French Empire Revival ormolu mounted mahogany armchair, Circa 1880 in date.
The bow-shaped chair features superb ormolu decoration including anthemion, rosettes and palmette mounts. The top rail above a central shaped slat backrest, the overstuffed-seat is upholstered in its original tan leather and it is raised on square tapering legs terminating in ormolu lion’s paw feet.
It is an absolute masterpiece which is sure to get a lot of attention wherever it is placed.
Condition:
In excellent poriginal condition having only been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 82 cm x Width 60 cm x Depth 54 cm Height 49 cm – Seat height
Dimensions in inches:Height 2 foot, 8 inches x Width 2 feet x Depth 1 foot, 9 inchesHeight 1 foot, 7 inches – Seat height
Gilt Bronze / Ormolu – (from French ‘or moulu’, signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as ‘gilt bronze’.
The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of 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. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt.
Our reference: A5034