Ormolu Furniture
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Material: Ormolu
Rare Pair of 19th Century Cabinets by Grohé with a Noble Italian Provenance
Located in London, GB
An Important Pair of Cabinets
By Grohé Frères of Paris
From a Noble Genoese Family
Constructed primarily from matched tulipwood throughout, with purpleheart and bois de rose bandin...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Small Ormolu Mounted Regency Chandelier by John Blades
By John Blades
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine Regency chandelier of tent and basket design with double ormolu bands issuing six diamond cut glass candle nozzles, the chandelier is hung with double cut rectangular spangles...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Exceptional 19th Century French Vitrine by François Linke in the Louis XVI Style
Located in London, GB
An Exceptional Louis XVI Style Vitrine Cabinet
By François Linke
Index no. 421
Of elegant breakfront form, surmounted by a stepped pediment top inset with three shaped and moulded ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble, Ormolu
Belle Epoque Baccarat Attributed Four-Leaf Clover Ormolu Mounted Vase
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Belle Époque Baccarat (Attributed) four-leaf clover ormolu mounted vase, with typical gilt 'chipped ice' crystal mounted in a continuous frame of clo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Baroque Style Bronze and Ormolu Cherub Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Baroque style bronze and ormolu cherub mantel clock
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 69cm, width 35cm, depth 26.5cm
This dramatic a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Rare and large ormolu mounted malachite mantel clock signed Manière
Located in London, GB
Rare and large ormolu mounted malachite mantel clock signed Manière
French, 19th Century
Height 60cm, width 35.5cm, depth 13cm
With an enamel dial signed 'Maniére / A Paris', th...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu
19th century Louis XVI style ormolu-mounted marquetry meuble d’appui
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French ormolu-mounted marquetry meuble d'appui circa 1880. Marquetry in the manner of of earlier furniture maker Joseph Cremer.
Eared rectangular white marble top sits ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair French Louis XVI style side tables, signed F. Linke.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Fine quality pair of French Louis XVI style side tables, having inset marble tops, gilded ormolu mouldings and mounts, single frieze drawers and raised on elegant cabriole legs.
One ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu Bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Louis XV. st. ormolu, patinated bronze and Rouge Griotte marble clock. The clock is raised b...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Egyptian Revival Mantle Clock Retailed By Tiffany & Company
Located in Essex, MA
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." ...
Category
1880s French Egyptian Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Monumental Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra by Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
Monumental gilt and patinated bronze candelabra by Beurdeley
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 273cm, width 90cm, depth...
Category
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Large French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze 18-Light Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This 19th century French chandelier is designed in the Empire style and wrought from gilt bronze and strings of cut glass. The chandelier features a lower dome-shaped body below an o...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Louis Revival Marqutry Ormolu Occasional Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique French Louis Revival marquetry and ormolu mounted walnut and king wood serpentine side table, circa 1850 in date.
The beautiful shaped marquetry top is ...
Category
1850s French Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Twenty-Seven Light Chandelier, c.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th century French palatial ormolu bronze twenty-seven light chandelier by the renowned designer and bronzier Maison Mottheau et Fils. This chandelier is in superb cond...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Neo-Gothic Gilt Bronze Pricket Candlestick
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning Late Victorian Neo-Gothic gilt bronze altar stick pricket candlestick. Late 19th to early 20th century, the Continental European antique features an exceptionally executed...
Category
Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Maison Krieger French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Side Chair Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of very fine quality antique French Louis XVI style gilt bronze ormolu mounted mahogany side chairs, attributed to luxury Parisian furniture maker Maison Krieger (1826-1910)
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Onyx, Marble, Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
This colorful pedestal clock has been crafted from fine red marble and green onyx, and beautifully decorated with gilt bronze (ormolu) and champlevé enamel. While a popular crafts material in ancient times, onyx was largely forgotten about until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century in Algeria by a French marble-worker called Delmonte. Onyx became highly fashionable in France following this discovery, and it was used to create a variety of decorative art objects.
The clock features a green onyx cube-shaped case, which is surmounted by a slightly projecting red marble top. This top is fringed with champlevé enamel drapery-like motifs, with gilt bronze drop-finials. The case is mounted on its front with a circular dial, which features a central floral champlevé enamel motif, encircled by black Arabic Numerals. This dial is set within a gilt bronze egg-and-dart and champlevé enamel bezel. The sides of the case are mounted with circular gilt bronze barometers...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Repeating Drocourt Carriage Clock with Alarm
Located in Amersham, GB
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...
Category
1860s French Victorian Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel, Ormolu
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
French Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XVI style ormolu mounted parian porcelain vase with cover cast with a winged goddess & putti & with female masks to each handle (2nd ½ 19th Cent)
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair Of French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Rock Crystal & Crystal Girandole Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and highly quality pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Rock Crystal and Crystal Girandole lamps. Each six light Girandole is raised by a circular Ormolu base with a ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Chinese 18th century Porcelain and French 19th century Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality Chinese 18th century Porcelain and French 19th century Louis XVI st. Ormolu mounted centerpiece. This wonderful octagonal shaped Chinese Export Porcela...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Victorian Kingwood Jewellery Box
Located in Altrincham, GB
Victorian Kingwood Jewellery Box - with ormolu mounted decoration opening to a pink fabric lined interior - French Import for the UK market - 14.5 x 11.5 x 7"h
Category
Late 19th Century French Beaux Arts Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Large Three-Piece Porcelain, Champlevé Enamel, and Ormolu Mounted Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Large three-piece porcelain, champlevé enamel, and ormolu mounted clock set
French, late 19th century
Measures: Clock: height 46cm, width 25cm, depth 15cm
Vases: height 38cm, width 14cm, depth 11cm
This exceptional antique clock set consists of a central clock flanked by a pair of small vases...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
French Louis XVI Style Champlevé and Ormolu Inkwell Circa 1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 7 1/2in W: 10 1/2in D: 7 3/4in
This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Champlevé and bronze Ormolu Inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, 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
Antique Italian Pietra Dura Hardstone Wood Ormolu Cabinet on Stand
Located in London, GB
Antique Italian Pietra Dura Hardstone Wood Ormolu Cabinet on Stand
Italian, Late 19th Century
Height 227cm, width 141cm, depth 46cm
Rich in detail and craftsmanship, this magnific...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Stone, Ormolu
Charles X Style French Ormolu Optic Cut Crystal Box, Signed Lehmann France
By Lehmann
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charles X Style French Ormolu-Mounted Optic Cut Crystal Casket Box, Signed Lehmann France, circa 1900–1920
A fine French crystal and gilt bronze ca...
Category
Early 20th Century French Charles X Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
A Louis XVI Style Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze and Jasperware Mounted Cartel Clock and Companion Barometer, After the Model Attributed to Pierre Gouthière.
The clock and barometer each surmounted by...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Outstanding Large 19th Century Bronze & Porcelain Jewelry Casket Box
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Outstanding Large 19th Century Bronze & Porcelain Jewelry Casket Box
Dimensions : 14" Tall X 16" Wide X 11" Deep
This gorgeous Antique jewelry ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
A Louis XVI Style Mantel Fine Gilt-Bronze Clock by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Very Fine Gilt-Bronze Clock With A White Marble Base by François Linke.
The case signed 'Linke'.
This rare example of a clock by François Linke has a twin train eight-day mov...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique French Clock Set in Champleve Enamel and Ormolu
Located in London, GB
This charming late 19th century French clock set takes inspiration from a range of styles and periods, and is beautiful in its final e...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Pair of French Chinoiserie Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Oil Lamps
By Bayeux
Located in London, GB
Each oil lamp in this pair is wrought from gilt bronze and Bayeux porcelain and is designed in the chinoiserie style so prominent in French art during the latter 19th century. Each l...
Category
19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French late 19th century Louis XV st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative French late 19th century Louis XV st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece, stamped Baccarat. This stunning scallop shaped Baccarat Crystal centerpiece is set wi...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
18th Century Commode Sauteuse, Chest of Drawers, Transition - Louis XV - XVI
Located in Greven, DE
Commode Sauteuse
France, circa 1770
Dimensions with marble top: H x W x D: 86 x 114 x 60 cm
Description:
Two-tier piece of furniture standing on curved, flared legs. Due to the re...
Category
1770s French Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Marble Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
The large and elegant antique French Empire style bronze and marble figural clock features a rectangular stepped base of dark green marble, raised on four gilt bronze feet cast with ...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Sterling Silver Gilt Canteen In Louis XV Ormolu Kingwood Vitrine 105pc
Located in Germantown, MD
French Louis XVI Style Crested Gilt-Silver Assembled Flat Table Service in a Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Fitted Vitrine cabinet. Enjoy one the greatest combination of top ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Ormolu
French 19th century Bronze and Ormolu statue of Aeneas and Anchises
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and richly detailed French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu statue of Aeneas and Anchises. This wonderful statue after a model by Pierre Lepautre...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Regency Ormolu Cherub Tazza with Malachite & Blue John 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an impressive and highly decorative Regency Period ormolu, malachite and Blue John tazza, Circa 1820 in date.
It features an ormolu winged cherub holding a Blue John tazza...
Category
Early 19th Century Regency Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French 19th century Neo-Greek st. Bronze, Ormolu and marble, tables/pedestals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality pair of French 19th century Neo-Greek st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and marble tables/pedestals, attributed to Georges Emile Henri Servant. This stunnin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Large Gilt, Patinated Bronze and Marble Clock Set by Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
Large gilt, patinated bronze and marble clock set by Raingo Frères
French, Late 19th Century
Clock: height 73cm, width 29cm, depth 28cm
Candelabra: height 66cm, width 30cm, depth ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This beautiful early 20th Century clock set with later lapis veneer will make a stunning Neoclassical style addition to a mantelpiece and a bold i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI Gilt Bronze and Malachite Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Neoclassical Louis XVI gilt bronze and malachite clock
French, late 18th Century
Measures: Height 56cm, width 35cm, depth 12cm
Crafted from gilt bronze and a later malac...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Gilt-Bronze Mounted Commode after Jean-Henri Riesener
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Superb 19th century French Louis XVI style gilt- bronze mahogany, kingwood and fruitwood marquetry armorial commode with Sycamore Marquetry and magn...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ormolu & Tulipwood Dressing Table by Sormani
By Paul Sormani
Located in London, GB
An Elegant Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood Dressing Table
In the Louis XV Style
Attributed to Paul Sormani
A superb example of late 19th century 'mobilier de luxe,' this tulipwood-veneere...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
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
Maison Gouffé Paris French Transitional Louis XV XVI Secrétaire Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning fine quality French Transitional Tulipwood, Kingwood, ormolu, Brocatelle Violette secrétaire bookcase by renowned Parisian cabinetmaker Maison Gouffé. circa 1925
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Abattant with Figural Ormolu 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Empire abattant secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper drawer over drop front desk opening to interior with p...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
$2,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Russian Nicholas I Period Porcelain Vase Imperial Porcelain Factory
Located in London, GB
Large Russian Nicholas I Period Porcelain Vase Imperial Porcelain Factory
Russian, c. 1830
Height 78cm, width 34cm, depth 30cm
This outstanding antique vase, created around 1830 by ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Grand Tour Ormolu Bronze Dore Marble Urn Vase Centerpiece 19thC
Located in Dublin, Ireland
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Regency Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
A Very Rare Neat Size 19th Century Leather Top Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare 19th Century well figured mahogany and kingwood leather top ladies writing desk of neat proportions, exceptional quality with rich patination and grain. This stunning pi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Large Pair French Louis XV Style Ormolu Gold Green Glass Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Large Pair French Louis XV Style Ormolu Gold Green Glass Candelabra
French, 20th Century
Height 160cm, width 77cm, depth 77cm
This exceptional pair of candelabra, designed in the L...
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI St. Belle Époque period ormolu and Baccarat crystal centerpiece. The centerpiece i...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
A Pair of French Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Louis XVI Style Marble and Ormolu Cassolettes, 19th Century
Provenance: Private UK Collection.
Description:
The lobed ovoid body of each urn form faux cassolette r...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair Empire Revival Style Leather Armchairs
Located in Houston, TX
A handsome pair of Empire Revival style mahogany armchairs featuring arrows, bronze ormolu and newly upholstered in a dark amber whiskey colored leather with nailhead detail
Category
Late 19th Century Empire Revival Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
$8,600 / set
Large Baroque Style Gilt Bronze Eighteen-Light Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This impressive, eighteen-light chandelier—which measures 1.7 metres (67 inches) in height—will bring grandeur and majesty to a room. It is crafted in a bold Baroque style, which was...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Very Impressive and Palatial Late 19th Century Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Long Island City, NY
A very impressive and palatial late 19th century gilt bronze and crystal twenty four light basket chandelier
The large sunburst corona above a reticulated pierced crown adorned with...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century empire revival mahogany pier mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century empire revival mahogany pier mirror circa 1870.
Excellent quality pier mirror using the finest mahogany. Architectural cornice top with cresent shape which showcases t...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Green Marble Lidded Urns
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Green Marble Lidded Urns
Superb and most elegant pair of Louis XVI style ormolu mounted Verde Antico Marble lidded urns. Flanking the m...
Category
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Ormolu Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Fine Pair of Regency Cut-Glass Storm Lighs Attributed to John Blades
By John Blades
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A large pair of Regency storm lights on pillar and file cut foot with diamond cut base supporting corresponding drop hung drip pans issuing storm shades engraved with flowers and oak...
Category
1830s British Regency 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.
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