Ormolu Furniture

A very fine antique Napoleon III French style ebonzied Boulle & ormolu Bonheur du Jour by Nordisk Kunst & Mobel-Etablissement, Copenhagen Denmark, 1903. In remarkable condition. Thi...

French Pair of Period Louis XV Tole, Ormolu and Porcelain Flower Wall Sconces. Very rare pair of appliques in finely chiseled gilded bronze with...

A scarce period Charles X (1818-1834) French Restoration mahogany travailleuse sewing (thread stand - side table - jewelry dressing table) with light, warm, beautifully aged patina. Born in France in the early 19th century, almost certainly Parisian work, exquisitely hand-crafted, this exceptionally executed example features ornate gilt bronze ormolu mounts, escutcheons, and elaborate gilt metal trim. Having a highly figured light mahogany hinged lid top, lifting open to reveal a striking finished interior with divided compartments and original inset mirror plate. The conforming rectangular case fitted with a faux drawer front over a dovetailed drawer with sectioned interior. Elegantly rising on oval-shaped medial shelf stretcher-joined curvacious legs. Dimensions (approx): 27" High, 20" Wide, 13.5" Deep Stunning light almost blonde antique mahogany coloring and mellow warm tone, superb wood grain detail, and charming, beautifully aged patina over the whole. Great shape overall. Retaining original antique character marks, wear consistent with age and indicative of minimal use, nothing that detracts from the aesthetics or functionality, but only adds to the overall authenticity, refined elegant warmth, luxurious sophistication, and cozy unpretentious rustic elegance. Delivered cleaned, hand waxed, polished French patina finish, ready for immediate use and generational enjoyment! What is Charles X style: The comte d’Artois – or Charles X - was the son of the dauphin Louis-Ferdinand de Franc and Marie-Josèphe de Saxe. He succeeded his two brothers Louis XVI and Louis XVIII and became the King of France in 1824. Thirty years after the French Revolution, he wanted to embody the return of monarchy and became the leader of the catholic party . As the previous kings, he was crowned in 1825 but he was soon overthrown by the revolution in July, 1830, called "Trois Glorieuses". He left then for England, Scotland, Prague and Istria where he died in 1836. Charles X style lasted from 1818 to 1834 and happened during the Bourbon Restoration (French Restoration). This style did not replace totally the style of furniture from the French Empire but it was different from the formalism in the Napoleonic era, during which strictness and simplicity were inspired by Greco-Roman art. Indeed, artistic fields flourished. In terms of furniture, this renewal was suggested by the softening of shapes. Even though the simple aspect from the French Empire was still visible, shapes became curvier with volutes and arabesques. Another distinction is the loss of the massive aspect of furniture and the decrease of dimensions in order to decorate smaller appartments. Handling ability and comfort were key-words in the making of furniture. Apartments had essential elements such as chests of drawers, big rounded tables in the dining room, desks or secretaries, armoires and even dressing tables, comfortable fainting couches in the living room, small tables, pedestal tables, as well as gondola chairs. The wavy aspect of the latters certainly represent Charles X style the best.  One of the most emblematic features of this style is the use of bois clairs – light woods in warm blond tones - and indigenous woods that are varnished in order to highlight the grains. Bird's-eye maple, ash trees, plane trees, yew trees, beech trees, olive trees and cedar trees were most likely to be used. Indeed, at the beginning of the 19th century dark woods were hard to find. In 1806, the Napoleon’s Continental System was established in order to ruin the United Kingdom by preventing the country from any business with the rest of Europe. Therefore craftsmen had to find alternatives from mahogany which was the most commonly used material at this time. After 1815, the import of wood was even more difficult because of peace treaties and the European political situation, which contributed to the popularity of the bois clairs and indigenous woods. The furniture was often decorated with fine inlays made out of dark wood representing foliage, which contrasted with the veneer. Even though these patterns can look like bronze decorations from the Empire era,  they were far more simple and did not represent any military or mythological attributes. On the tables, trays were sometimes made out of marble as in the French Empire, but it was often put aside and inlaid veneer, Verre Eglomisé – a type of glass with a mirror finish –, mirror or porcelain from Sèvres or Paris were more likely to be used. Decorative elements from the Monarchy were highly appreciated again as they suggested luxury. Indeed, marquetry work was particularly fashionable - Boulle marquetry thrived around 1820 as the works of the Levasseur family can show. In the same way, draperies and trimmings referred to the monarchist splendour. Fabrics were often white – the traditional colour of the Bourbons – or light coloured as oppposed to the typical green from the Napoleonic era.  One of the most symbolic figures from this period of time might be Jean-Jacques Werner (1791-1849), a cabinetmaker who worked for prestigious clients such as the Duchesse de Berry who was Charles’s step-daughter. His works can be seen at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and at the Grand Trianon in the Palace of Versailles. The duchess’s appartments situated at the pavillon de Marsan and at the Palais de Saint Cloud illustrate Charles X style the best with furniture made out of bois clairs and ornamented with dark wood patterns or fine gold decorations. Chales X style allows a transition between the sobriety of the Empire style and the abundant aspect of Louis-Philippe style. The gothic style started at this time through the "style à la cathédrale", inspired by religious architecture, which thrived from 1827 to 1830. Indeed, at the beginning of the 19th century, Romanticism put the spotlight on the Middle Ages. Cabinetmakers were not inspired by the medieval furniture but rather by architectural elements of churches and cathedrals. For instance the backs of chairs were decorated with arches shaped like rib and serration. In the same way, before Charles X abdicated, pieces of furniture were made out of dark woods – such as mahogany, which was used again in France – and were inlaid with light wood. Romanticism also influenced the layout of furniture in appartments to suggest movement through a mix of various styles, various shapes and various sizes, as opposed to the static aspect of Neoclassicism. The start of industrialisation and mechanisation also influenced this style as early technical developments led to the production of pieces of furniture in series. Credit: Marc Maison Bibliography: FANIEL Stéphane (Dir.), Le Dix-neuvième Siècle Français, Collection Connaissance des Arts, 1957, Hachette SASSONE, Adriana Boidi, Furniture from Rococo to Art Deco, 2000, Evergreen -- Extremely versatile: As warm and attractive as it is useful, this remarkable antique table having the ideal size and small proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a side table, accent or occasional table, tall sofa...

A Very Fine French 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock, Horloge à Poser, by Henri Picard and Fedinand Barbedienne - ‘F. Barbédienne & Cie. / A Paris’, after the model by É...

An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...

A very fine antique French Louis XV style, circular tilt-top marquetry pedestal tripod table, with gilt bronze ormolu mounts, attributed to Joseph Cremer circa 1870. The round rosew...

A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze and white marble figural mantel clock. The finely chased ormolu body, with its original two-tone mercury gilt, centered with a circular enameled porcelain clock face with Roman and Arabic numeral dials and inscribed 'A. Thomas - Fabt de Bronze - 56, Rue de Turenne - Paris', surmounted with a pair of playful seated cherubs amidst clouds and wreaths, the case crowned with a figure of a Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois...

A French Louis XIV style commode from circa 1950 with rosewood marquetry décor, four drawers, red griotte marble top and gilt bronze hardware. Crafted in the timeless French Louis XI...

A fine French Louis XVI Style gilt and patinated bronze and white marble figural mantel clock with a figure of a drummer cherub. The brown patina cupid, seated on gilt-bronze clouds ...

A French Antique Ormolu-Mounted mahogany envelope games card table, C. 1870, attributed to Henry Dasson. A very elegant and high quality, French Louis XVI style, mahogany and bro...

A gorgeous glass trinket box with ormolu mounts. No restoration has been carried out on this charming little trinket box, which remains in very stabile and functioning condition, wea...

This magnificent 19th Century Louis XV Style Mantel Clock Set, crafted in the style of Sèvres, embodies the opulence and elegance of French decorative arts. The set includes an intri...

A stunning antique French ormolu clock set, circa 1870, mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with Rose Pompadour pink ground. Pan...

An Exceptionally Fine Pair of Chinese Cantonese Hand Decorated Porcelain Vases of traditional baluster outline, of unusually quite good size proportions, (see last image in situ) mid...

A truly fabulous antique French parquetry turnover top games table, circa 1880 in date. The top with ormolu banded edge, the parquetry decoration exhibits a stunning array of exotic...

A Magnificent French Ormolu-Mounted Green Painted Chinoiserie Commode with Original Marble Top An exceptional French ormolu-mounted commode, richly decorated in vibrant green polych...

An early 20th century circa 1920's English Regency style fireplace surround in Italian Statuary white and Grey Bardiglio marbles with Ormolu mounts. The Jambs stood on square foot b...

A wonderful French Louis XV1 style striking figural ormolu-mounted white marble clock. The beautifully cast figures of Venus and Cupid are springi...

This is a superb quality antique French malachite, bronze and ormolu mantel clock dating from Circa 1850 in date. It features Louis XVI seated on an ormolu throne chair whilst reading a book. The clockmakers name is inscribed on the backplate. It is of high quality and is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is original. The movement bearing the serial number 29, made and signed by Japy Fils 1849. It has an early French silk suspension...

Pair Antique Very Large Chinese Porcelain Vases French Gold Ormolu Stands Porcelain: Chinese, 18th Century Ormolu: French, Late 19th Century Vases...

An extremely rare pair of English Regency period eight-light cut glass and ormolu-mounted chandelierS of the finest quality the shaft centred by a tapered slice and diamond cut stem piece surmounted by a drop hung ormolu palm tree spray, this supporting tapered slice and diamond cut stem piece the shaft terminating with ormolu leaf decorated pan, the main drop hung double ring decorated with flower heads anthemion and issuing eight six-sided candle arms with drop hung van dyke edged drip pans supporting bullet shaped hurricane shades the main ring also supporting a basket of double pointed faceted spangles these supported by a finely chased leaf ormolu ring and lapidary cut finial. The chandelier richly draped with double pointed Regency spangles and finely chased ormolu four-way drop of a unique design. English circa 1805 Height 60in (152.4cm) Width 43in (109.2cm) For similar examples please see Martin Mortimer, The English glass chandelier, plate 70 the chandelier now at 1 Royal Crescent...

Fine quality French empire revival mahogany cabinet circa 1890. Generous proportions and as with all furniture of this scale and period it was built to come apart. Central glazed d...

A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style Ormolu Mounted Kingwood, Satinwood and Vernis Martin Decorated Single-Door Vitrine, in the manner of François Linke (1855-1946). The wh...

FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER France, circa 1830 Item # 403ZGP18C An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...

This is a highly attractive antique Edwardian high quality ormolu floor standard oil lamp now converted to electricity, circa 1890 in date. This splendid lamp features the beautiful...

Early 20th Century rectangular cocktail table executed in the Empire style. The ebonized wood base is fitted with applied bronze ormolu mounts with shaped supports joined by a lower ...

Early 18th C., France, a Régence Ormolu Chandelier from The Keck Collection, sold Sotheby's 5 Dec 1991. The six light chandelier with a support composed of a gadrooned baluster-shape...

Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinged lid fe...

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Three Piece Clock Set, the clock case with cupola and columnar supports, enameled dial, the movement with mercury compensated pendulum and stri...

A very fine and substantial ormolu clock by the clockmaker Vincenti. Stunning Rococo balloon form of sweeping acanthus swags, scrolls and floral flourishes. To the top of a beautiful...

Dimensions - H: 40 1/2in W: 50 1/2in D: 14 1/2in This is an EXCEPTIONAL Pair of French Empire Style Consoles! They are made of the highest quality! Made out of the Finest Mahogany ...

A French Ormolu and Patinated-Bronze ‘Chariot’ Three-pieces Clock Garniture Attributed to François Linke (1855 - 1946), Paris, Late 19th/ Century The clock representing a putto on ...

This is a monumental French pair of antique Louis XVI Revival gilded ormolu quadruple branch wall lights, mid-20th century in date.   A large pair of very ormolu wall sconces, each w...

A fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style gilt bronze seven-light figural chandelier. The elongated and ovoid gilt-bronze frame with six scrolled candle-arms (now electrified) surmou...

A fine Empire period mantel clock with bun feet raising a rectangular base with a central portrait of Bacchus flanked by exquisitely chiseled motif of swirling foliage surmounted by a figure of the goddess Ceres grasping in her lowered hand a wreath woven with foliage and berries while in her garment she collects a bountiful harvest; she rests beside the clock tower with a framed lens opening to access the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals inscribed Etn. Tavernier set with Breguet style hands, raising an urn filled with fruits of the soil; against the tower rest the implements of labor, a shovel and flat rake. The movement is engraved "B". A significant clock movement maker, Etienne Tavernier (French, 1756-1839) is listed in Tardy's horology reference as working closely with the house of Abraham-Louis Breguet as well as providing clock movements...

***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** French Louis XVI Rosewood, Kingwood Marquetry & Ormolu Side Cabinet 20thC Measures- 32.5"H x 31.25"...

A stunning 19th century French Gilt-Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Four-Glass Mantel Clock, of exceptional quality, this richly ornamented four-glass mantel clock is housed in a finely ...

A highly impressive, eighteen light ormolu mounted and cut glass chandelier. The turquoise opalescent baluster stem with foliated mounts supporting a reed corona and the central vase...

A pair of capitals that were part of some columns, in ormolu bronze, with a neoclassical decoration of Corinthian order.

A beautiful antique French ormolu clock set in the Rococo style. It features cupid as a cherub, seated to the top with torch and quiver of...

A fine French palatial 19th-20th century Louis XVI style mahogany and ormolu-mounted "Marie Antoinette Style" medallion commode with a Fleur de Pêche marble top, after a model by Ben...

A very fine French 19th-20th century louis XVI style kingwood parquetry and ormolu-mounted ladies writing table, the body surrounded by bronze moldings. The apron repeats the parquet...

A Very Fine French Late 19th/Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Kingwood, Bois Satine, Mahogany, Marquetry and Parquetry Gueridon (Round End-Table), in manner of François Linke (1855-1946). The circular marquetry top with trellis inlay encompass by a ribbon-tied floral and ribbon entwining inlaid surround, above a frieze interspersed with four abundant floral, foliate and entwined opposing cornucopia mounts each centered by a bacchanal mask, with one frieze drawer, on slender cabriolet legs with an up swept X-stretcher surmounted by a circular under-tier with a basket weave mounted gallery. Bearing the fine quality furnishings retailer's plaque which reads: 'S. & H. Jewell, 131 & 132, High Holborn, London, W.C'. Circa: Paris, 1900. S & H Jewell are first recorded in 1830 as fine quality retailers, restorers and cabinet makers. They were a family business who worked from their premises at 29-31 Little Queen Street, Holborn, in London and then later to 26 Parker Street and then at 131 - 131, High Holborn, both in London W.C. They are recorded to have sold furniture to the Arts and Crafts home...

A period 19th Century American Empire chaise newly upholstered in Schumacher Johnson Hartig Libertine Yellow Modern Toile Chaise. This heavy yellow and wh...

A Fine Pair of Gilt-Bronze Mounted Cobalt Blue Sèvres Style Porcelain Vases and Covers. Each vase is of amphora form with domed covers, scrolled handles and square section re-entran...

Pair of Confederate Civil War Cast Iron Cannonballs with Century Ormolu Mounts,* United States, Circa 1861–1863 *This offering consists of four pieces, two cannonballs, and two peri...

A French Empire Ormolu Bronze Mantle Clock after Percier et Fontaine, 19th Century. In the hallowed halls of horological history, this Empire gilt-bronze ormolu mantle clock, a subl...

We delight to offer sell this stunning large French Empire style walnut desk having a gilt tooled green leather top with a ormolu edge and scrolling mounts flanked by an arrangement ...

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...

A very fine German 19th century porcelain and gilt-bronze mounted Potpourri Urn-Vase with Lid, attributed to Meissen. The ovoid white porcelain urn, decorated on all sides and lid wi...

A stunning 19th century ormolu clock garniture in the Louis XV style by Ch. Drieu, the white enamel with Roman numerals signed “Ch. Drieu, 4 Rue de Thorigny”. The clock is flanked by...

A Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XVI-Louis XVI Transition Style Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany, Birdseye Maple, Fruitwood and Sycamore Marquetry and Parquetry Commode with a Brèche d'Alep Marble-Top, after the model by Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806). Circa: 1870-1880. The finely detailed commode with rounded sides, finely chased ormolu mounts with their original mercury gilt, a single center apron drawer with wreath ormolu pulls and an acanthus plate...

This is a remarkable pair of antique French Grand Tour ormolu and Carrara marble urns, circa 1860 in date.   These stunning urns have been superbly cast in the same form as the ancie...

This is a superb antique set of four stylish French Neo-classical ormolu & glass flaming torch wall lights, circa 1920 in date. Each has an ormolu foliate and ribbon backplate holdi...

Late Victorian Chinoiserie decorated Letter rack Black Laquered Background with gold detail Depicting Figures bedside river scenes foliage & leaf decoration urn with flowers, Sitting...

Pair of Fine Sevres Style Cobalt Blue Rams Head Lidded urns We are pleased to offer a stunning matched pair of highly ornate late twentieth porcelain lidded urns. Hand painted & g...

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 ...

A gorgeous antique French ormolu mounted burr walnut library table, circa 1870 in date. Featuring king wood banding, the shaped top with an inset gold tooled green leather writing s...

An important antique French Louis XV transitional style gilt-bronze mounted amaranth & kingwood marquetry table à écrire, by Paul Sormani, Paris, circa 1870. A beautiful bombe shape...

A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.