Object Description
An antique pair of French bronze and marble louis Revival table lamps, Circa 1880 in date.
Each lamps features a pair of maidens in classical costumes raised on fluted white marble column plinth bases with gilt ormolu laurel leaf stands and shades.
They are delightful objects which will look fabulous in any surroundings.
Condition:
In really excellent working condition having been beautifully cleaned and professionally rewired in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 73 x Width 36 x Depth 36 – without shades
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 2 inches x Depth 1 foot, 2 inches – without shades
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: A1846