Object Description
A superb, rare and unusual French giltwood and ormolu mounted cylindrical pedestal and combined glazed display cabinet, Circa 1860 in date.
The cabinet with wonderful ormolu mounts and raised on a circular pedetal base.
Add a touch of French sophistication with this lovely pedestal display cabinet.
Condition:
In excellent condition. As antique items, the cabinet shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the cabinet displays beautifully.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 119 x Width 37.5 x Depth 37.5
Dimensions in inches:
Height 3 foot, 11 inches x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 1 foot, 3 inches
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: A2963