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Ormolu Furniture

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Material: Ormolu
19th Century Birch and Morocco Leather Pedestal Desk in the French Empire Manner
Located in London, GB
A pedestal desk in the French Empire manner of freestanding breakfront form with everted angles, constructed in birchwood, and burr birchwood, having bronze accents drawn from the...
Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Arch top French mantel clock in a finely decorated Ormolu case with classical scene to the front, standing on a mahogany base with brass banding and resting on brass feet. Enamel ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Marble Cave à Liqueur Circa 1870-1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Unusual Antique French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Marble Cave à Liqueur, Circa 1870-1880. Open: 16 1/4" H x 13 1/4" W x 11 1/2" D Close: 9 3/4" H x 13 1/4" W x 10" D
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Crystal, Ormolu

Ormolu and Porcelain Panel Mantel Clock, A.B.Savory, Cornhill
Located in Norwich, GB
Ormolu and Porcelain Panel Mantel Clock Ormolu figural mantel clock with beautifully cast maiden in flowing robes holding a bunch of grapes towards a ...
Category

1860s French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century bronze and ormolu Encrier having lyre and flower handle flanked by engine-turned inkwells with penholders, raised on platform base ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century Russian Jasper Vases in Louis XVI Style
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of large, ornamental jasper urns from Russia with ormolu mounts. The handles are formed with scrolling acanthus leaves and they hold in place a piece o...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

true pair of French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and richly detailed true pair of French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu candelabras. Each stunning nine arm candelabra is raised on claw feet below richly chased Ormol...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

17th Century Obelisk-Shaped Table Clock
Located in London, GB
17th Century obelisk-shaped table clock Italian, 17th Century Height 28cm, width 9cm, depth 7cm A stunning piece from the 17th century, this table clock is a precious element of horological artistry and mechanical innovation. Encased in gilt and glass, the delicate clock is shaped akin to an obelisk, an intriguing symbol that lends a striking visual appeal. The foundation of the timepiece is a gilt brass and...
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1660s Italian Baroque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Vase
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and porcelain vase French, 19th Century Measures: height 87 cm, diameter 27 cm This grand porcelain vase is crafted in the style of Sèvres. ...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Unusual French Gilt Bronze Cushion-Form Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Unusual French gilt bronze cushion-form chandelier French, late 19th century Measures: Height 59cm, width 51cm, depth 51cm This unusual and beautiful gilt bronze chandelier is modelled in a decadent style as a cushion. The chandelier body features five points, each terminating in a single candle holder set above a tassel drop finial. The surface of the body of the chandelier is richly moulded with a host of detailing, which gives the piece the appearance of an exotic cushion...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Mounted Malachite Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French ormolu and silvered bronze mounted malachite three-piece clock set French, late 19th century Clock: Height 56cm, width 53cm, depth 28cm Candelabra: Height 66cm, width 30cm,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Italian 20th Century Renaissance St. Wrought Iron and Ormolu Savanarola Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most decorative Italian 20th century Renaissance st. wrought iron and ormolu Savanarola bench. The folding bench is raised by a beautiful X-shaped wrought iron base with fine circular mottled feet connected by a stretcher. Above are four striking baluster shaped ormolu supports with beautiful finely detailed foliate designs with ball shaped finials each displaying richly chased acanthus leaves on a hammered background with a wrap around twisted ribbon band and each connected by superb additional baluster shaped foliate arm supports. Atop each ball finial is the etched coat of arms of Cardinal Giuseppe Antonio Ferretto. All original gilt throughout. Giuseppe Antonio Ferretto (9 March 1899 – 17 March 1973) was an Italian Cardinal born in Rome. In 1958 he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Serdica by Pope John...
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20th Century Italian Renaissance Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron, Ormolu

Empire Influenced Display Cabinet, circa 1920
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A stunning French mahogany Empire style vitrine with classical gilded ormolu scrolling mounts, glass shelves, a flamed mahogany panel beneath with a shelf and raised on classical car...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Belle Époque Ormolu & Crystal Empress Eugenie Chandelier c. 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Belle Époque ormolu & cut crystal Empress Eugenie chandelier, circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Pair of Napoleon III Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Side Cabinets
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Napoleon III Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry side cabinets. Each cabinet having an eared rectangular marble top above a frieze and doors finely inlaid with elaborate foliate ma...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French Antique Japonisme Glazed Ceramic and Ormolu Mounted Lamps
By L. Malpass
Located in London, GB
Pair of French antique Japonisme glazed ceramic and ormolu mounted lamps French, Late 19th Century Lamps: height 104cm, width 36cm, depth 26cm Shades: height 33cm, diameter 50cm In the Japonisme style, these superb, exceptionally large lamps (converted from vases) are made from glazed ceramics and fitted with ormolu mounts. The beautiful vases are parcel gilt and decorated with exquisite images of, to the front, a Japanese male figure on one and a female figure on the other; complemented by images of Japanese landscapes including trees, birds (ducks), shrubbery, flowers, and insects, including stick insects and butterflies. Each piece is fitted with superb ormolu elephant...
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Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of English Mid-19th Century Porcelain Mounted Thuyawood Cabinets
Located in London, GB
A Rare and Fine Pair of Side Cabinets Constructed in thuyawood with kingwood crossbanding, and exuberantly dressed with gilt bronze mounts; of arc-en-arbalette form, rising from a p...
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19th Century English Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century French Bombe Serpentine Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century French provincial bombe serpentine marriage commode. Of Grand proportions made from wild cherry wood with a rich deep patina. With its original locks and bronze hardware...
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18th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Two Neoclassical Style Russian Cut Glass and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Two neoclassical style Russian cut glass and Ormolu vases Russian, 20th century Dimensions: Height 32cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm Each vase in thi...
Category

20th Century Russian Neoclassical Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Italian Bronze Ormolu Neoclassical Style Desk Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 7 1/8 in W: 4 1/2 in D: 2 3/4 in Elevate your interior with this exquisite antique Italian Neoclassical style bronze ormolu desk clock, a fine example of late 19th-...
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19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair Antique French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Candelabra, Circa 1840.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Louis XVI style ormolu candelabra, circa 1840.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Charles X Period Ormolu Mounted Jacob Petit Porcelain Mantel Clock French, c.1825 Height 36cm, width 18.5m, depth 10.5cm Set within a beautiful porcelain case, parcel gilt, and flor...
Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Fine Pair of French White Marble and Gilt Bronze Figural Six-Light Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A Fine Quality Pair of French White Marble with fine casting and Gilt Bronze Figural Six-Light Candelabras on Marble Bases signed 'A. BOUCHER'. Maker: Alfred Boucher (1850-1934) ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Lemerle-Charpentier & Compagnie Red Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This fine and ornate antique clock set by Lemerle-Charpentier & Compagnie comprises a clock and two flanking candelabra. The asymmetrical clock is set on a red marble base with ormolu feet and features a central relief panel in patinated bronze. The circular red marble clock...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Late 19th Century French Kingwood and Ormolu Vitrine or Display Cabinet
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Fine Late 19th Century French Kingwood and Ormolu Vitrine or Display Cabinet, the present piece with its glazed sides and glazed top panel was designed to be viewed in the round an...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Antique French Louis XV Style Bedside Chests
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of antique French Louis XV style bedside chests, dating from around the 1900-1910 period. They are of outstanding quality and are a very useful size, with lots of storage space. The wood has acquired a gorgeous colour tone and patina, they have extremely well made ormolou mounts and handles, with gorgeous details. We have had these recently re-polished, the condition is excellent for their age. There is just some minor wear remaining beneath the polish here and there. Width – 14 inches , 35 cm Depth – 12 inches...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century French Directoire Ormolu and Enamel Clock by Deverberie
Located in Essex, MA
Period French marble and ormolu mantel clock with sunburst or sun king motif original works. Gilding in great condition. Neoclassical form with enamel embellishments in great conditi...
Category

Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Belle Époque Period Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period mahogany, ormolu and Campan Rouge marble buffet, attributed to Maison Krieger. The four door, t...
Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

19th Century American American Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

pair of French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and Marble urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine and high quality pair of French late 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu and green marble urns, signed Susse Freres, Paris. Each stunning urn is raised by an Ormolu socle with a...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Bookmatched Cabinet with Marble Top by François Linke
Located in London, GB
A Bois Citronnier Meuble d'Entre Deux By François Linke Constructed from satiné quarter-veneered bois citronnier, with rosewood crossbanding and ormolu mounts, the rectangular ca...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of Malachite and Gilt Bronze Stands in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
Pair of malachite and gilt bronze stands in the Neoclassical style French, 20th century Measures: Height 88cm, width 47cm, depth 39cm Each pedestal in this pair, wrought from gilt bronze and malachite, is based on the shape of a Classical Greek tripod...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Enamel Miniature Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze and enamel miniature carriage clock French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 11cm, width 5.5cm, depth 5cm Case: ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Sevres Style Porcelain Mantle Clock c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV style mantel clock, a captivating piece fashioned from Sevres style porcelain and adorned with ormolu accents. Atop the clock rests a striking 'b...
Category

1870s French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style
Located in London, GB
Antique Alabaster, Ormolu and Silvered Bronze Clock Set in the Neo-Grec Style French, Late 19th Century Clock: Height 55cm, width 33cm, depth 16cm Candelabra: Height 62.5cm, width 1...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Alabaster, Silver Plate, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Kingwood, Ormolu and Brèche D'alep Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood, ormolu and Brèche d'Alep side table. The one drawer rectangular side table is raised by slender cabriole legs w...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Marble Vase
Located in London, GB
A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED CRYSTALLINE GREY MARBLE VASES, CIRCA 1785. The socle bases 19th century.
Category

18th Century Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Lacquer Commode, Henry Dasson
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Exceptional Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Lacquer Commode By Henry Dasson Henry Dasson A beautiful shaped Rosso Levanto marble top above two long and deep...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Louis XV Period Walnut Commode
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Louis XV period walnut commode in galbee form, three drawers and gilt bronze foliate style mounts. The commode has a very nice, mellow patina. The top is one large, solid piec...
Category

Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany and Ormolu side table, signed Durand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Bleu de Savoie marble, Brass and Ormolu side table, signed Durand. This wonderful table is raised on Ormolu cast...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Cupid and Psyche, an Auguste Moreau (1834-1917) bronze group Gueridon, 1884
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cupid and Psyche A patinated bronze group by Auguste Moreau, originaly and initialy mounted in gueridon, then adapted to be a table later, the model was made in the XIXth Century, a...
Category

1880s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Granite, Bronze, Ormolu

pair of French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most elegant pair of French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu candelabras. Each high quality six arm candelabra is supported by a circular pierced foliate decorated bas...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece clock and candelabra set is formed of malachite and is fitted with gilt and patinated bronze mounts. The malachite base of th...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

'Three Graces, ' Three-Piece Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This garniture comprises three pieces: a mantel clock and two flanking candelabra, the entire ensemble designed and ornamented in an ornate neoclassical style. The garniture is composed of gilt bronze and lapis lazuli, with the lapis elements being a later addition. The mantel clock, which is supported by a lapis trefoil form base set on its sides with gilt bronze pierced foliate mounts, the gilt bronze contrasting beautifully with the lapis lazuli, contains a figural group of the three graces, sculpted from bronze and exquisitely gilded. The trio holds above their heads the spherical clock...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Columns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and most decorative true pair of French 19th century Neoclassical st. Grand Tour patinated bronze and ormolu columns. Each column is raised by an elegant square base wi...
Category

19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and very high quality pair of French early 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu candelabras. Each eight arm candelabra is raised by fine mottled feet below impressive blo...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Lidded Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and large scale pair of French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. Brèche Violette marble and ormolu lidded urns. Each urn is raised by a thick square mottled base with ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Parquetry Standing Clock by Kahn in the Régence Style
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and parquetry standing clock by Kahn in the Régence style French, early 20th century Measures: Height 262cm, width 62cm, depth 17cm This beaut...
Category

Early 20th Century French Régence Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair E. F. Caldwell Gilt Bronze and Crystal Girandole form Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This amazingly detailed pair of candelabra are by the renowned firm of Edward F Caldwell, and are pictured in their archives. In the Georgian taste, they feature many Robert Adam sty...
Category

Early 20th Century American Adam Style Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Pair of Dutch Early 19th Century Ormolu Chandeliers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful pair of Dutch early 19th century ormolu chandeliers. Each twenty arm chandelier is centered by a fine bottom hoop and elegant mottled urn shaped reserve. Each arm display...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

A Fine Pair of French Marquetry Card Tables
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A super pair of mid 19th century walnut and kingwood marquetry card tables retaining the original red leather to the inside. Fine ormolu mounts and great colour and patina Circa 1845
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Second Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Commode by Sormani
Located in London, GB
Second Empire period ormolu mounted commode by Sormani French, c. 1860 Measures: Height 86cm, width 151cm, depth 65cm This superb commode is ...
Category

1860s French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Serpentine, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Museum Quality French Marble And Ormolu Clock circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lovely clock is in good running order. It was retailed by Bigelow Kennard in Boston, MA.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Charles X Musical Ormolu Mantel Clock of Gaius Marius Signed Robert Houdi
By Robert Houdin
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare antique French Charles X period ormolu musical mantel clock of Gaius Marius amidst the ruins of Carthage by the noted maker Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin. The superb an...
Category

1820s French Charles X Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Rococo Style Writing Desk Mounted with Gilt Bronze
Located in London, GB
Rococo style writing desk mounted with gilt bronze French, late 19th century Measures: Height 78cm, width 134cm, depth 64cm This superb ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Exceptional Louis XV-Style Rosewood Bureau Plat with Ormolu Mounts
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This exceptional Louis XV-style Rosewood bureau plat features a hand-tooled leather top and its adorned with elaborate ormolu (gilt bronze) mounts. The ormolu mounts, finely cast and...
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Antique English Ormolu and Malachite Inkwell, Circa 1860-1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English ormolu & malachite inkwell, circa 1860-1880.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu candelabra lamps. Each three arm candelabra mounted into a lamp is raised on a square O...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style French, late 19th century Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
Category

Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style gilt bronze sconces French, 20th Century Measures: Height 88cm, width 38cm, depth 35cm This elegant pair of sconces is wrought from gilt bronze in th...
Category

20th Century French Empire Ormolu Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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.

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