Antique French Ormolu and Malachite Miniature Table, 19th Century

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Antique French Ormolu and Malachite Miniature Table, 19th Century

About the Item

A French ormolu and malachite miniature table circa 1880 in date. The miniature table with circular malachite top and border, the ormolu base cast in the Naturalist manner with a monkey climbing a tree, above a 'Palissy-esque' arrangement of crocodile, snake, turtle and beaver. Condition: In excellent condition with only minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 19 x width 20 x depth 20 Dimensions in inches: Height 7.5 x width 7.9 x depth 7.9 Malachite is an opaque, green banded mineral. It is believed to be a strong protector of children. It protects the wearer from accidents and protects travellers. Malachite has been used to aid success in business and protect against undesirable business associations. It is a stone of balance in relationships. Malachite is always green, usually in banded tones varying from very dark green to a mellow green. Most malachite comes from Zaire, Chile and Australia. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used malachite for jewellery and ground it to use as eye shadow. It is used in amulets to protect against the evil eye. In the Middle Ages it was used to protect children from witches and other dangers. 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. After circa 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.

Dimensions:
Height: 7.49 in (19 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Malachite,Ormolu
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1880-1889
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1880
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A15931stDibs: LU950621994242