Ormolu Furniture

Antique French marquetry, ormolu and jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley French, c. 1890 Height 151cm, width 190cm, depth 100cm The Bureau du Roi, also known as the secrétaire à cylindre, is among the most celebrated masterpieces of 18th century furniture design—an unparalleled example of French craftsmanship and regal opulence. Originally commissioned by King Louis XV in 1760, the project was entrusted to ébéniste du roi Jean-François Oeben (1721–1763). However, Oeben passed away before its completion and his successor, Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806), finalised the desk in 1769. During the 19th century, several master cabinetmakers sought to replicate this extraordinary creation, including the esteemed Emmanuel Alfred Beurdeley (1847–1919). The present example, produced circa 1890, was exhibited at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where it garnered admiration for its exceptional artistry. Following the exhibition, it was acquired by financier George Jay Gould I (1864–1923) and later photographed in the Lakewood, New Jersey residence of his wife, actress Edith Kingdon Gould (1864–1921). This magnificent desk is crowned with a decorative clock, draped in festoons and accompanied by two playful putti and a finely sculpted dog. Twin ormolu urns rest atop an openwork gallery, leading to additional flower-filled ormolu vases. Flanking the central roll-top panel are finely cast ormolu figures of Apollo and Calliope, each supporting a twin-light scrolling acanthus candelabrum. With a turn of a key, the roll-top slides open to reveal an exquisite arrangement of three pull-out shelves and three drawers, each front panel adorned with delicate ormolu banding and intricate floral trellis parquetry. A gilt-tooled leather writing surface unfolds, featuring a pop-up central panel that lifts to reveal a folding folio stand alongside three additional storage compartments. Below, a central kneehole drawer, embellished with an ormolu bow, is flanked by twin-divided drawers, all decorated with finely detailed floral marquetry. Every aspect of this Bureau du Roi is a testament to superior craftsmanship, featuring elaborate marquetry and parquetry designs. The upper section consists of three panels, with the tambour roll-top inlaid with intricate mythological motifs. Two side medallions bear Latin inscriptions drawn from Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia (1555–1622): NON. NISI. GRANDIA. CANTO. / IRRIDENS. CUSPIDE. FIGO. and BREVI. COMPLECTOR. SINGULA. CANO / PASTORUM. CARMINA. LUDO. These decorative elements, along with the marquetry on the roll-top and upper surfaces, celebrate the arts, literature, and architecture. The bombé sides of the desk are richly decorated with marquetry panels depicting symbols of both naval and terrestrial warfare, framed by elegant ormolu laurel swags. These ornamental details complement a series of exquisite blue and white Wedgwood Jasperware medallions...

This exquisite 19th-century French Louis XV style long case clock features intricate ormolu mountings that highlight its elegance. Adorned with finely detailed floral motifs and cher...

This pair of vases combines cobalt porcelain with finely cast and chased gilt bronze mounts, a synthesis characteristic of neoclassical decorative art. The porcelain bodies are glaze...

This is a beautiful antique gilded ormolu serpentine shaped jewellery casket, Circa 1870 in date. The top, front, sides and back are beautifully cast and tooled in gilt bronze. The ...

An elegant and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Tulipwood, Ormolu and Marble side table. This stunning side table is raised by four square tapered legs ending...

Russian Ormolu and Amethyst Glass Swan Centerpiece, Attributed to Imperial Russian Glass Works St. Petersburg Imperial Glass Factory, Mid to late 1...

A TIFFANY & CO. EGYPTIAN REVIVAL MANTLE CLOCK, AMERICAN, 1880s, a bronze ormolu and marble clock made by L. Marti et Cie for Tiffany & Company, marked on clock face, "Tiffany & Co." ...

c1810 Pair Expertly Cut Glass w/ Ormolu Candelabra/ Candle Holders. The cut glass is extraordinary, the Ormolu shines. This is a high quality piece of Gorgian history.

An exceptionally fine and quite rare Pair of Asian Hand Carved Bovine and ormolu early Victorian Single Light Candlesticks of tall slender form and fairly large proportions, now conv...

This early 20th-century pendant chandelier was made in the Neoclassical style, which originated in Europe in the early 18th Century. The Neoclassical style was characterized by its s...

Very Large Ormolu Marble Regulator Calendar Mantle Clock Barbedienne French, Late 19th Century Height 121cm, width 64cm, depth 28cm Expertly produced in France during the final de...

This is a beautiful antique Victorian ormolu mounted envelope card table, circa 1880 in date. The card table is made from superb quality Gonçalo Alves, has the most striking musical...

This is a magnificent vintage walnut and ormolu mounted Versace curved glass display unit, circa 1990's in date. This free-standing unit featu...

Mid 19th century inlaid walnut breakfront credenza sideboard circa 1850 We are pleased to offer this stunning profusely inlaid sideboard. Breakfront shaped and offering 3 glazed doo...

French Louis XIV Style Kingwood, Ormolu and Satinwood Inlaid Bombay Commode with Green Marble Top 20thC Measures - 32.75"H x 48"W x 19"d A striking Louis XIV style bombe commode craf...

Very Large Pair Antique French Sèvres Style Porcelain Ormolu Vases French, Late 19th Century Height 164cm, width 58cm, depth 46cm This remarkable pair of large vases is created in ...

A spectacular and most important Italian mid 19th century Baroque st. ebonized Fruitwood, Marble, Semi Precious Stone, Giltwood and Ormolu cabinet. This exceptional Pietra Dura inlai...

Pair of French 19th Century commodes in the Louis XV style. The curved solid wood bodies are adorned with glossy lacquered marquet...

Lovely pair of French Louis XV style inlaid marquetry side tables or nightstands with ormolu accents, two dovetailed drawers and gorgeous i...

A large and very well decorated French Empire Egyptian Revival fireplace surround, in well configured Antico Verde Marble with exceptional quality Ormolu mounts. The Jambs with taper...

A fine quality empire ormolu-mounted patinated bronze and rouge royale marble mantel clock. The patinated bronze figures depicting cupid and psyche. Attributed to Pierre-Victor Ledure...

A Restauration Period Paris Porcelain Inset Ormolu Mantel Clock, Attributed to Jean François Denière, circa 1820 to 1830 A refined and architecturally composed Restauration period m...

An magnificent large late 19th century French Louis XVI style ormolu and rock crystal chandelier of exquisite craftsmanship. A superb example of French neoclassical revival design an...

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat/Desk, Louis XV period 3 working drawers on one side. Back side has 3 false drawers Circa, 1760 with one Key It's Old leather top in Useable but h...

18th century inlaid walnut bombe commode circa 1790. Fine quality Swedish rococo revival commode with the typical bombe shape of bulging out in the middle and curving in at the base...

French Kidney-Shaped Louis XV Style Writing Desk, Late 19th Century A beautifully crafted French writing desk, or bureau plat, dating from the late 19th century and inspired by the ...

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 charming fine quality antique French demilune decorative box from the late 19th century, finished in stunning rich briar elm burlwood, the half-moon shaped bentwood revolving door table or desk box - jewelry casket - trinket keepsake small cabinet - old fashioned cigarette case, features flower...

Antique French Louis XVI Style Gueridon by Henry Dasson. Sophisticated 19th century ormolu and Mahogany Gueridon after Adam Weisweiler (1750-1810). The Gueridon, fashioned in the L...

Rare Large Antique Set Mother of Pearl Ormolu Marble Stations of the Cross Jerusalem/ French, Late 19th Century Height 39cm, width 24cm, depth 4.5cm An outstanding example of devot...

This French Empire 19th century rectangular porcelain dresser box or jewlery decorative casket has a wonderfully patinated powder blue/cerulean light blue background color and features grotesque masks, architectural vase, fruit, flowers and leafy scrolled design throughout painted as a trompe l’oeil in the round. Ormolu mounts enrich the whole box. The paintings on this casket are striking as is the color palette used, a wonderful mix of light purple, cream, blue and soft brown. The lid is centered by a grotesque mask inspired by antiquity. The front, back and sides are profusely decorated with architectural elements, cartouches and volutes. The design is centered by a vase with a fruit arrangement that appear to be plums. The decoration could refer to the allegory of autumn and the mask painted on the lid could refer to Bacchus. Both the color of the porcelain and the paintings are very unusual and a sign of high quality and uniqueness.The box was most probably given to a high-ranking lady as a gift on the occasion of her marriage, or perhaps after the birth of a child. The lidded box is fitted with ormolu mounts, hinges and clasp. A gilt bronze band finelly chiseled in the form of a rope adorns the upper part. The trinket box rests on four gilt bronze lion paw feet. This striking French porcelain box...

Pretty French antique lingerie chest having 4 drawers, marble top and fancy brass hardware including on the two front feet. Nice medium size sc...

Measures: H: 25 1/2 in / 64.7 cm ; W: 22 1/4 in / 56.5 cm ; D: 9 1/2 in / 24.2 cm An exceptional quality three-piece clock set designed in a grand neoclassical. The set is compri...

A wonderful card or games table by the French firm Moissonnier. Fully stamped with manufacturer mark, see images. The top is reversible, with a red leather top and also a black pai...

An elegant and richly detailed set of French ormolu wall sconces dating from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. Executed in finely chased...

Internal Music Box Playing Two Aires From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to bring to the market this exceptional French Palais Royal Musical Writing Box. The Writing ...

Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. An exceptional qualit...

This is a superb antique pair of decorative Victorian burr walnut and floral marquetry pier cabinets, dating from Circa 1860. Adding to their truly unique character they are  decora...

‘Grand Psyche’, monumental Art Nouveau mirror by Maison Millet French, c. 1900 Height 270cm, width 170cm, depth 57cm This exquisite antique mirror was crafted around 1900 by the e...

Belle Époque Ormolu-Mounted Loetz-Style Art Glass Centerpiece, circa 1890 A striking Belle Époque centerpiece bowl featuring a vivid green marbled art glass insert in the style of L...

Antique French ormolu mounted roll top desk in the style of Riesener French, 19th Century Height 120cm, width 146cm, depth 73cm This magnificent 19th-century bureau à cylindre, als...

A very fine French Belle Époque 19th century tulipwood and gilt bronze-mounted Vernis Martin decorated Vitrine by Louis Majorelle (French, 1859-1926). The single door case with a hand-painted board depicting a garden courting scene surmounted with ormolu wreaths and a banded frame. The top with a pierced gilt bronze gallery above an ormolu royal tassel trim flanked by a pair of female masks above crossed torches and flames, cross flutes, a tambourine, a pan flute, ribbons and a tassel. Raised of four cabriolet legs with corner ormolu wreaths and leaves ending with hooves, Paris, circa 1990. The back bears the original Majorelle label that reads: "Louis Majorelle, Fabrique a Nancy, 3 Rue Girardel. Depot. 56 Rue de Paradis, Paris." Louis-Jean-Sylvestre Majorelle, usually known simply as Louis Majorelle, (26 September 1859 – 15 January 1926) was a French decorator and furniture designer who manufactured his own designs, in the French tradition of the ébéniste. He was one of the outstanding designers of furniture in the Art Nouveau style, and after 1901 formally served as one of the vice-presidents of the École de Nancy. The Majorelle firm's factory was designed by famous École de Nancy architect Lucien Weissenburger (1860 – 1929) and located at 6, rue du Vieil-Aître in the western part of Nancy. In the 1880s Majorelle turned out pastiches of Louis XV furniture styles...

A Fabulous and Quite Impressive Pair of French Ormolu Mounted Chinese White Ground Cloisonne Enamel Chrysanthemum Vases. The surfaces are covered in cloisonne enamel decoration set ...

A Very fine French 19th century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood, Satinwood and Fruitwood Parquetry Kidney-Shaped secrétaire de dame (Lady's Desk) with an enamel dial clock and...

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...

The underside of the cherry-blossom decorated palanquin forming the shade over the court figure with phoenix resting on the gilt-bronze mounted carton Pierre panel.

A beautiful and monumental Paris porcelain ormolu mounted three piece garniture set with hand-painted scenes and delicate gilt decoration, Circa...

French Louis XVI style (1940s) mahogany and gilt bronze trimmed chest with 3 drawers having ring handles and a marble top. (stamped: JANSEN)

A Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Kingwood and Tulpwood Gilt-Bronze Mounted Vernis Martin Style Serpentine Meuble d'Appui (Side cabinet) with Marble Top. The triple-bombé single door body fitted with a Spanish Brocatelle marble top, the single front door centered with a painting depicting a park scene with a man seated across two ladies and a young man standing between them playing violin, the upper apron painting section depicting a lake scene with coastal trees, all surmounted with floral and acanthus ormolu mounts and raise on cabriolet legs with gilt-bronze sabots. Two interior wooden shelves. The lockplate stamped: "V.F. (Crossed keys...

Very charming French hand wax seal from the late 19th Century. We see this piece added to a collection of these hard to find treasures.

Pair of Monumental Large Japanese French Imari Porcelain Ormolu Candelabra Porcelain: Japanese, 18th Century Ormolu: French, Mid-19th Century Height 260cm, diameter 86cm This exce...

A fine Boston Federal game table in mahogany with fire gilded bronze doré ormolu mounts in the corners of the apron and original brass paw foot casters. Carving is well articulated and form is reminiscent of Federal Boston cabinet maker Isaac Vose...

Rare Large Antique Boulle Marquetry Centre Table Henry Dasson Wallace Collection French, 1878 Height 99cm, width 269cm, depth 134cm This outstanding centre table, dated 1878, is a r...

A stunning and high quality French late 19th century Art Nouveau Period Ormolu box. This exceptional box is raised on four foliate feet below large scale scrolled acanthus leaf corne...

A strike repeat alarm carriage clock by Pierre Drocourt. Stamped and numbered with the Drocourt mark on the back plate in a gilded 'Gorge' case. Drocourt was one of the great carriag...

An impressive 19th Century French Louis XVI style, Boulle mantel clock, having red stained Tortoiseshell veneer to the case, gilded Rococo influenced ormolu mounts, white enamel Roma...

Perfumer Baccarat Perfume Box, Ormolu Mounted, Doré Bronze Presenting a remarkable fusion of artistry and opulence, the perfumer Baccarat's green op...

This is a beautiful antique French Louis Revival parquetry and ormolu mounted breakront vitrine, circa 1860 in date. This beautiful cabinet has exquisite parquetry and crossbanded ...

This is an impressive and rare antique French Régence wood and ormolu mounted commode, circa 1720 in date. The stunning breche violette marble top ...

An exquisite Rococo-revival bombé kingwood commode / chest of drawers, dating to circa 1880, Paris, France. An exceptional piece in the Louis XV style, crafted with remarkable finess...