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Antique French Kingswood Occasional Table c.1870

Posted by Regent Antiques

13 May, 2020

Antique French Kingswood Occasional Table c.1870

US$1,941.48

This is a fantastic French inlaid rosewood and Kingwood occasional table, circa 1870 in date. Featuring fabulous decorative ormolu mounts to the legs and feet, the top and the four flaps are decorated with scrolling floral designs in satinwood and boxwood. This table is sure to get noticed wherever it is placed. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 75 x Width 53 x Depth 51 Dimensions in inches: Height 2 feet, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 9 inches x Depth 1 foot, 8 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. No true ormolu was produced in France after around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury. Therefore, other techniques were used instead but nothing surpasses the original mercury-firing ormolu method for sheer beauty and richness of colour. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt (also known as vermeil). Our reference: 06745

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