Object Description
This is a remarkable pair of antique French Grand Tour ormolu and Carrara marble urns, circa 1860 in date.
These stunning urns have been superbly cast in the same form as the ancient Roman vase, the campana shaped form features rich foliate ornamention with an applied beaded decorated border to the fluted cylindrical marble pedestals on octagonal bases.
The attention to detail throughout is second to none and the pair of classical gilt bronze urns are sure to enhance great historical fascination wherever they are placed.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 19 cm x Width 14.5 cm x Depth 12 cm & Weight 2.2 kg – Each
Dimensions in inches:
Height 7 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 5 inches & Weight 4.9 lbs – Each
Carrara marble – is a type of white or blue-grey marble popular for use in sculpture and building decor. It is quarried at the city of Carrara in the province of Massa-Carrara (Tuscany, Italy).
Carrara marble has been used since the time of Ancient Rome; the Pantheon and Trajan’s Column in Rome are constructed of it. Many sculptures of the Renaissance, such as Michelangelo’s David, were carved from Carrara marble. For Michelangelo at least, Carrara marble was valued above all other stone, except perhaps that of his own quarry in Pietrasanta. The Marble Arch in London and the Duomo di Siena are also made from this stone, as are the interiors of Manila Cathedral, the cold-white marbles of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the campus of Harvard Medical School.
Ormolu – Gilt Bronze (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: A4691