Object Description
A large and magnificent antique pair of French gilt bronze ormolu and Verde Antico marble six light candleabra, circa 1850 in date.
The candleabra each feature five reeded scrolling arms with scalloped drip pans and turned nozzles surmounted by a further central nozzle issuing from an acanthus and lotus mounted triple cluster tapering marble column.
Each candelbra is raised on acanthus and lotus scrolling feet on tripartite platform bases.
They are delightful objects which will look fabulous in any surrounding.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 65 x Width 29 x Depth 29
Dimensions in inches:
Height 25.6 x Width 11.4 x Depth 11.4
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.
Serpentine Marble / Verde Antico
Serpentine is a major rock forming mineral and is found as a constituent in many metamorphic and weathered igneous rocks. Serpentine’s structure is composed of layers of silicate tetrahedrons linked into sheets; this structure is what gives it its high flexural strength rating.
Verde Antico is the commercial name for the serpentine “marble” derived from highly sheared ultramafic rocks that have been rewelded and metasomatized by the process of serpentinization. These ultramafic bodies are now recognized as segments of ancient oceanic crust that became part of the eastern North American continent during the Taconian orogeny. This is considered to be middle Ordovician in age, around 450 million years ago.
More deformation and metamorphism took place during the Acadian orogeny around 360 million years ago.
Our reference: A1346