Ormolu Mounted Objects

The exceptional bronze casting, in stunningly intricate detail, on this beautiful sculptural piece has been attributed to master metalworker Ferdinand Barbedienne. The piece takes th...

A scarce fine quality neoclassical Empire style vasiform gilt bronze ormolu church religious relic altar monstrance reliquary. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Continental Europe in the second half of the 19th century, most likely French Napoleon III Period (1852-1870), having a fanned cross crest, above winged angel mask, central oval display...

An exceptional example of a fine pair of chisel cast French Patinated Bronze Figures after Claude Michel Clodion (1738-1814) in very dark brown patination. Mid-19th Century. Firmly a...

Stylish Art Deco English Sterling Silver heavy gauge circular footed Centerpiece, Fruit Bowl complete with its original firm fitting hand cut full led Crystal glass liner of outstand...

Superb Example of French lidded grand tour ormolu & bronze cast heavy duty model of a two handled Urn of Museum quality. First quarter of the Nineteenth Century, possibly Regency per...

A very fine quality carved white marble bust of a Grand Tour classical maiden, with down cast head and exotic head dress, late nineteenth century This exceptional piece rests on ...

An Exceptionally Well Cast Dark Patinated Bronze Grand Tour Figure Modelled as a Standing Robed and Bearded Male, supporting a knapsack across his right shoulder. Last half of the ...

An exceptional example of a chisel cast French Patinated Bronze Figural Group of a Satyr and a male Figure holding a Baby Bacchus after Claude Michel Clodion (1738-1814) in dark pati...

A Monumental and Fine Pair of French 19th, 20th Century Empire Style Red Porphyry-Like Granite and Gilt-Bronze (Ormolu) Mounted Obelisks on Four Gilt-Bronze Lion Paws both resting on...

Stylish example of a pair of heavy well cast Grand Tour bronze seated figures of two amorino (infant cupid or cherub) probably of French origin, early nineteenth century. Each fig...

Louis XVI style ormolu chenets, On square support with a central bombe shaped maiden's mask, Scrolling foliage chasing, above an urn of prosperity dec...

French 19th Century Pair of Ormolu Medici Lions Pair of gilt-bronze sculptures representing the Medici lion, a leg on an orb and resting on a molded base decorated with a painted f...

A very fine pair of french late empire patinated bronze & well grained sienna marble grand tour twin handle Tazza of large and heavy proportions First quarter of the Nineteenth C...

A XIXth century grand tour bust of caracalla and its porphyry column. Bust of the Roman Emperor Caracalla in Polychromed resin simulating different ...

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...