Object Description
This is a beautiful antique pair of French Louis Revival ormolu mounted side tables, early 20th Century in date.
The shaped “Rosso Levanto Marble” marble tops are framed with ormolu borders. The frieze and legs are beautifully shaped and are decorated with intricate ormolu mounts and the legs terminate in gilded ormolu feet.
There is no mistaking the unique quality and elaborate design, which is certain to make it a talking point in your home and a fine embellishment to your reception room.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation of condition.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 74 cm x Width 67 cm x Depth 67 cm
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 5 inches x Width 2 foot, 2 inches x Depth 2 foot, 2 inches
Rosso Levanto Marble
A classic marble used extensively in the churches of Rome. A deep, bloodlike red with exquisite veining across slabs.
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.
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: A4581