Skip to main content

Ormolu Furniture

to
412
3,983
2,194
6,366
9
3
1,787
672
535
389
135
135
124
35
33
24
23
14
8
3
1
1
292
5,314
760
12
407
99
35
106
9
18
16
21
13
4
9
5
3
6,378
356,010
294,617
231,216
148,477
5,915
5,219
318
274
153
6,378
6,377
6,378
82
51
49
30
27
Material: Ormolu
Ormolu Mounted Celadon Porcelain and Pâte-sur-pâte Vase-Form Lamp
Located in London, GB
Ormolu mounted celadon porcelain and pâte-sur-pâte vase-form lamp French, Late 19th Century Measures: height 52cm, width 23cm, depth 17cm Consisting of gilt-bronze handles and m...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Napoleon III Malachite Dressing Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Napoleon III Malachite Dressing Mirror Decorative bronze scene of a cherub on a horse drawn chariot riding through the clouds. Bronze foliage and grapes decorate the top and base of the mirror. The sides adorned with a long bronze torch and flame. Malachite is a semi-precious stone and also a valuable copper ore, hydrous copper carbonate. It is a beautiful green earth stone with irregular black banding. It is easily recognized by its color, green streak, and silky or velvety luster. It was used to make beautiful jewelry and to adorn only the finest pieces of furniture. In the 18th and 19th centuries malachite was popular with Russian Czars...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Flame Mahogany, Birds Eye Maple and Ormolu Serving Table C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique French Flame Mahogany, Birds Eye Maple and Ormolu Serving Table C1920 Measures - 34"H x 35....
Category

Early 20th Century French Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Mahogany and Ormolu Cabinet by Grohé Frères
Located in London, GB
Antique French mahogany and ormolu cabinet by Grohé Frères French, c. 1860 Height 112cm, width 124cm, depth 52cm The well-known firm of cabinetmakers, Grohé Frères crafted this sup...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Sevres Centerpiece
Located in New Orleans, LA
This centerpiece is very beautiful. One side has floral decorative elements and the other, a gentleman bringing a posy of flowers to a lady seated on the ground, while another watche...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Decanter Set by Baccarat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine and decorative gilt-bronze and cut-glass decanter set by La Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat. The set consisting of four decanters and sixteen glasses each finely fa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Empire Revival Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Period Empire side chair: This highly stylized chair has brass inlay and ormolu features to include reclining goddesses, feathers and detailed Roman feet all newly upholstered in a b...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, Dombrowski Fabricant Rue St. Honoré 343 a Paris, Circa 1830s A magnificent pair of French Empire Ormolu and...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Gilt Bronze Fireplace Surround Fender
Located in London, GB
This elegant gilt bronze (ormolu) fireplace fender was created in France in the late 19th century. The item will add splendour and beauty to a fireplace, making it the focal point of a room. The fender features a pierced rail which is decorated with a central cartouche, flanked by stylized acanthus leaves. The ends of the fender are topped by full-length, semi-nude figures. These include a beautiful young woman and a bearded male, holding a blacksmith’s hammer. The latter can be identified as Hephaestus (or Vulcan), the classical god...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period Ormolu lanterns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most charming pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period Ormolu and glass lanterns. Each striking lantern is centered by a beautiful bottom foliate ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Rare Monumental Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Jules Graux of Paris
Located in London, GB
An Exhibition Quality Garniture de Cheminée By Jules Graux of Paris Of important size and supreme quality, the mantle clock constructed from white Carr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Ormolu, Bronze

Large Sèvres Style, Mounted and Gilt, Painted Porcelain Vase
Located in London, GB
A large Sèvres style, mounted and gilt, painted porcelain vase French, Early 20th Century Height 132cm, diameter 37cm This exquisite piece is a beautiful Sèvres style porcelain ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rococo Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Porcelain Urns, a Pair
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional matching pair of exhibition quality bisque porcelain urns / vases, very fine French work, elegant Louis XVI style, finished with luxurious Neoclassical taste, the magnificent, richly decorated ovoid form antique urns / vases adorned in sumptuous finely gilded, chiseled and chased ormolu mounts. Made in France in the late 19th century, having shaped rope twist handles rising above classical female mask mounts decorating the sides, bands of decadent gold-tone gilded bronze floral garland and ribbon draped laurel swags flanked by exuberant scallop-shell running ornamentation, complementing the matte white color of the bisque porcelain. The waisted neck and slightly flared rim with simple decoration, the waisted pedestal base ornamented with stylized acanthus leaves in gilt bronze, leading to a cavetto square white marble socle encircled with stepped scrolling foliate festoon ornamental gilt...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Fire screen, French 19th Century, ormolu.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French ormolu fan shaped fire screen. Having wonderful scrolling foliate decoration to the whole, Fan sectioned panels, rampant Lions mounted to...
Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and very high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by most elegant scroll acanthus leaves centering a beautiful foliate reserve. ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Black Belgian marble and Ormolu Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Black Belgian marble and Ormolu Urns. Each beautiful urn is raised on a squared stepped marble pedestal with ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu

Rare Centre Table with a Campan Rubané Marble Top by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An important and rare gilt-bronze, mahogany and Bois Satiné centre table, with campan rubané marble top. By François Linke. Linke index number 1103. The g...
Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Large Louis XV Style Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
The central circular dial surmounted by two love birds, the lower section with two cherubs on either side, and decorated with garlands of flowers and scrolling features throughout.
Category

Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Antique French Sevres Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th century gilded ormolu and pink Sevres porcelain mantel clock. Having monopodia supports, a putti supporti...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by an elegant circular base with three fine seashell shaped supports a...
Category

19th Century French Renaissance Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and marble urns mounted into lamps. Each lamp is raised on a square gilt wood and marble base with concave corners. The ri...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and very decorative pair of French mid 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and ormolu lamps. The lamps are raised by square pedestals with ormolu...
Category

19th Century French Renaissance Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful pair French 19th century neo-cassical ormolu and patinated bronze lamps. Each lamp is raised on a square ormolu base with a reeded patinated bronze column. Above ormolu u...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Bronze, Marble and Ormolu clock set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most spectacular and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. patinated Bronze, Rouge Royal marble and Ormolu garniture set. This most striking garniture set consists of a ce...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Fine Regency Six-Light Chandeliers by John Blades
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine six-light cut glass ormolu-mounted chandelier of Classic tent and waterfall design the tent surmounted by a drop hung corona the main ring issuing six ormolu arms supporting d...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Cut Steel, Ormolu

Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870 A rare and unusual Napoleon III patinated bronze and ormolu crown from France, circa 1870. This distinctive work fea...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Italian Grand Tour Ormolu Horse-Drawn Porcelain Trinket Dish
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Grand Tour Era Horse-Drawn trinket dish in the Neo-Classical taste, Italy, circa late 18th to early 19th Century. The Grand Tour was a 17th to early 19th century custom of the tra...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Palatial Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau-François Linke
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Very Special and Palatial Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany and Bois Satine Parquetry Bureau a Cylindre By François Linke François Linke – Index Numbe...
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Fine French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood Commode
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French, 19th century Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted mahogany and tulip wood commode with a brèche violette marble top, after the model by Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806)....
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and very high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine bottom acorn finial below the mottled topie shaped body enc...
Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Empire Library Bookcase
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine gilt bronze mounted mahogany Empire library bookcase.
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century 1st Empire Period Mahogany, Ormolu, and Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century 1st Empire period Mahogany, ormolu, giltwood, and Vert de Patricia marble console circa 1805. The freestanding two tiered console is raised by elega...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Vintage Pair of French Louis Revival Ormolu Mounted Tables 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful pair of vintage French Louis Revival ormolu mounted side tables, mid-20th century in date. The square shaped "rosso levanto" marble tops are framed with decora...
Category

1950s French Vintage Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Napoleon III Decanter Set Attributed to Baccarat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pagoda Form Cave à Liqueur, Attributed to Baccarat. The shaped gilt bronze case finely cast with egg and dart moulding, acanthus fronds and musical tr...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Three-piece French porcelain and gilt bronze clock set
Located in London, GB
Three-piece French porcelain and gilt bronze clock set French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 27cm, width 36.5cm, depth 12cm Candelabra: Height 33cm, width 20cm, depth 11.5cm This fine three-piece clock set is by Henri Picard, one of the leading producers of luxury bronze...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Restauration Period Ormolu Surtout De Table Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and monumentally scaled French 19th century Restauration period ormolu surtout de table mirrored centerpiece plateau. The most impressive ...
Category

19th Century French Restauration Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

A Continental 19th century bronze & ormolu statues by Emile Guillemin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely and high quality true pair of small scale Continental 19th century patinated, silvered bronze and ormolu statues by Emile Guillemin. Each statue is raised by a circular mott...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Bronze and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning true pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze, ormolu and marble urns mounted into lamps, signed LÉON BOUCHER. Each lamp ...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Marble top Demi-Lune Cabinet Commode 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique French Empire flame mahogany, marble top and ormolu mounted demi lune cabinet, circa 1810. The cabinet is fitted with the original mottled black marble top, the demi l...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Satinwood Vitrine with Neoclassical Ormolu Mounts
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style satinwood vitrine with neoclassical ormolu mounts French, 19th century Dimensions: Height 180cm, width 177cm, depth 45cm This ...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French, Early 19th Century, Louis XV Style Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most elegant French early 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood, Rosewood, exotic wood, and ormolu bureau plat desk. The desk is raised by cabriole legs with fine pie...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Meissen Schneeballen and Intricately Ormolu-Mounted Potpourri Vases
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and rare pair of Meissen Schneeballen and intricately ormolu mounted potpourri vases with covers. The vases are supported by finely...
Category

19th Century German Rococo Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Alabastro Fiorito & Ormolu Lidded Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and large scale pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Alabastro Fiorito and ormolu lidded urns. Each urn is raised by a square base below the circular mottled socle pe...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style ormolu and rouge griotte marble clock set French, 1867 Clock: height 67cm, width 46cm, depth 28cm Candelabra: height 81cm...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Ormolu

French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Carrara Marble and Ormolu Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period white Carrara marble and ormolu garniture clock set signed by Jean-Simon Bourdier. The clock is raised by elegant mot...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Antique Ormolu Mantle Clock
Located in London, GB
An attractive Parisian mantle clock in the Louis XVI manner Retailed by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Constructed in Carrar...
Category

19th Century English Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Quality French Cut Crystal & Ormolu Mounted Large Pepper Mill
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite French cut crystal pepper mill stands at an impressive 11.625 inches, showcasing both elegance and functionality. The body of the pepper mill is crafted from high-qual...
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Louis XVI, Ormolu and Sevres Style Mantle Clock, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantle clock, having reclining putti holding garlands of flowers either side a vase of flowers, two serves style porcelain p...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Large 19th Century French Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century French gilded ormolu and Severs porcelain mantel clock. Having putti on either side, holding garlands of flowers. Inset hand-painted Sevres porcelain p...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Belle Époque Period Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu clock signed by Raingo Frères. The clock is raised by lovely mottled feet with a floral desig...
Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Large Glass and Gilt Bronze Hanging Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
This hall lantern has been exquisitely crafted from glass and gilt bronze (ormolu). The piece will look wonderful placed in a grand entrance hall, living or dining room. The light it...
Category

20th Century French Rococo Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
The contrast between rich blue enamel, in light and dark hues, and bright gilt bronze gives this carriage clock a sumptuous, luxurious feel. With a t...
Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Marble and Finely Chased Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. marble and finely chased ormolu clock. The clock is raised on six ormolu topie shaped feet below the white Carrara marble base with scrolled foliate ormolu mounts and beaded border. Perched above is a charming winged cherub holding up an arrow. At each side are lovely ormolu maidens draped in classic attire with their flowing hair, holding up a floral wreath. Centered is the ormolu clock with paw feet fluted and scrolled designs at the base and swaging foliate garland. Above the enamel dial is decorated with a winged cherub bust...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

18th Century French Louis XV Marble Top Inlaid Commode with Bronze Ormolu Mounts
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 36in W: 60in D: 22in This 18th C. French Louis XV Style Bronze Ormolu Mounted Marble Top Commode or Chest of Drawers is a museum quality piece that is an incredible ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Antique Hardstone and Ormolu Mounted Cabinets by Béfort Jeune
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique hardstone and ormolu mounted cabinets by Béfort Jeune French, Late 19th Century Height 151cm, width 112cm, depth 52cm This outstanding pair of cabinets was crafted b...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Stone, Marble, Brass, Ormolu

A Pair of Napoléon III 'Corinthian' Pedestals, Attributed Maison Millet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze and Marble 'Corinthian' Pedestals, Attributed to Maison Millet. Each with square rouge griotte marble top and column. The Corinthian capitals fine...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Statuary Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This magnificent antique 19th Century marble mantel with decorative gilt bronze mounts is after the fireplace in Marie Antionette"s Silver Boudoir at Fontainbleau. The Silver Boudoir...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Statuary Marble, Ormolu

Benito Crystal Caviar & Vodka Server, Martin Benito Crystal & Ormolu Centerpiece
By Cristal Benito, Martin CF Benito
Located in Miami, FL
Monumental Caviar Bowl Crystal and Ormolu or Bronze Dore Dolphin Centerpiece by Cristal Benito, Monumental Cristal Benito Fabergé Style Caviar Server with Vodka Glasses, Monumental C...
Category

20th Century French Belle Époque Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

18th Century Louis XV St. Rosewood, Kingwood, Maple, and Ormolu Commmode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most unique Continental 18th century Louis XV st. Rosewood, Kingwood, Maple, and ormolu commode. The three drawer chest is raised by elegant legs with scrolled feet c...
Category

18th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Ormolu Clocks, Lamps and Other Furniture and Decorative Objects for Sale

Antique ormolu furniture and decorative objects can be incorporated into a variety of spaces, and while demand for the material and/or technique was at its peak in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, ormolu is still widely loved by designers and collectors today.

What is ormolu?

Ormolu is a brilliant form of decorative trickery. To the untrained eye, ormolu clocks, jewelry boxes and other ormolu furniture and decor look like they're made of solid gold. But those in the know recognize ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — as having been essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

“Most commonly, ormolu refers to a bronze object that has been covered with gold, typically 18 karat or 24 karat,” explains Jamie Sinai, director of the antiques specialist Mayfair Gallery, in London. “For that reason, ormolu is sometimes called gilt bronze or, in French, bronze doré. Strictly speaking, however, the term ormolu also denotes the technique of applying gold to a metal.”

“The word comes from the French or moulu, which translates as ‘ground or powdered gold’ — the form the gold takes before it is applied to a metal surface.”

From the court of King Louis XVI to that of Napoleon I, the French elite snapped up furniture mounted with ormolu, as well as sconces, candelabra and table lamps made from the material. “As the French reputation for supreme art, architecture and furniture developed, the craze for ormolu spread across Europe,” adds Sinai.

Today, antiques collectors and interior designers continue to prize ormolu for its extraordinary craftsmanship and history-infused glamour. 

“This wondrous material was highly sought after in France as the ultimate luxury. It magically resembled solid gold and sparkled under candlelight,” says Sinai.

Find antique ormolu furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All