Object Description
This is an elegant antique French ormolu and bevelled glass table top bijouterie cabinet, circa 1880 in date.
It is of Neo-Grec style and of rectangular form with hipped top and pull up door which opens to real blue silk padded interior.
Bijouterie tables were designed to store and display a collection of small valuable items, they are also called table vitrines, and display tables.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 31 x Width 41 x Depth 28
Dimensions in inches:
Height 1 foot x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 11 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.
Our reference: A3134