Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Serpentine Credenza, circa 1860

View Similar Items

Victorian Burr Walnut & Marquetry Credenza

Victorian Credenza Cabinet Walnut, 1860

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Credenza 1860s

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Credenza Sèvres Plaques, 19th Century

Victorian Credenza Sideboard Mirrored Back Walnut 1860

Victorian Credenza Ebonised Sideboard, 1860

Antique Victorian Serpentine Burr Walnut Marquetry Credenza 19th C

Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Sideboard, circa 1860

Antique Victorian Burr Wood Walnut Serpentine Marble-Top Sideboard Credenza

Victorian Chiffonier / Sideboard Circa 1860

Regency Serpentine Credenza

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut and Marquetry Serpentine Credenza, 19th Century

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 9

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Serpentine Credenza, circa 1860

About the Item

His is a superb antique Victorian burr walnut credenza, circa 1860 in date. Oozing sophistication and charm, this credenza is the absolute epitome of Victorian high society. The entire piece highlights the unique and truly exceptional pattern of the burr walnut grain extremely well. This credenza is serpentine in shape with elegant serpentine glazed doors on either side and a paneled door in the center, which opens to reveal a cupboard with plenty of room to house your drinks, glasses, crockery, etc. It has elegant kingwood cross banding, a beautiful and intricate carved oval decoration on the central door panel and fabulous rams head ormolu mounts. Its attention to detail and lavish decoration are certain to draw the eye wherever you choose to place it in your home. Condition: You are viewing this item in its excellent original untouched condition. Any restoration that is required will be accomplished before delivery and is included in the price. Dimensions in cm: Height 108 x width 208 x depth 53. Dimensions in inches: Height 3 feet, 6 inches x width 6 feet, 10 inches x depth 1 foot, 9 inches. Burr walnut refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished, and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produces some of the most complex and beautiful figuring you can find. Kingwood is a Classic furniture wood, almost exclusively used for inlays on very fine furniture. Occasionally it is used in the solid for small items and turned work, including parts of billiard cues, e.g., those made by John Parris. It is brownish-purple with many fine darker stripes and occasional irregular swirls. Occasionally it contains pale streaks of a similar color to sapwood. The wood is very dense and hard and can be brought to a spectacular finish. It turns well but due to its density and hardness can be difficult to work with hand tools. It also has a tendency to blunt the tools due to its abrasive properties. 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-colored 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, circa 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 color. 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).

Dimensions:
Height: 42.52 in (108 cm)Width: 81.89 in (208 cm)Depth: 20.87 in (53 cm)
Place of Origin:
United Kingdom
Period:
1860-1869
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1860
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 053091stDibs: LU95065322783