Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Sofa Settee, 19th Century

View Similar Items

19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Settee / Sofa

19th Century French Empire Ormolu Sphinx Egyptian Hardwood Suite Sofa Armchairs

French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century

Antique Pair French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Armchairs 19th Century

19th Century Architectural Empire Salon-Sofa Superstructure, circa 1890

GUSTAVIAN SETTEE SOFA 19th Century

Late 19th Century French Empire Style Sofa

Antique Pair Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Fauteuil Chairs 19th Century

19th Century Biedermeier Settee or Sofa

19th Century Antique Empire Sofa Hand Carved Mahogany

Cuban Empire Carved Mahogany Hand Caned Sofa / Settee, Early 19th Century

Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 3 Seat, 19th Century Ormolu A

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Sofa Settee, 19th Century

About the Item

This is a fantastic and highly decorative antique French gilt bronze mounted Empire Revival sofa, circa 1880 in date. Crafted from fabulous solid mahogany and smothered in fabulous high quality ormolu mounts reminiscent of the Empire style with Egyptian motifs such as sphinxes, urns, laurels and Napoleonic symbols. The arms terminating in classical female masks, standing on elegant tapering legs that terminate in ormolu sabots and upholstered in a fabulous golden fabric Add an elegant touch to your home with this exceptional sofa. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 97 x width 124 x depth 59 Dimensions in inches: Height 38.2 x width 48.8 x depth 23.2 Empire style, is an early 19th century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until circa 1830. The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon's leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France. The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of Neoclassicism which is also called "Directoire", after a goverment system. Furniture typically had symbols and ornaments borrowed from the glorious ancient Greek and Roman empires. The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N." Gilded bronze (ormolu) details displayed a high level of craftsmanship. Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'. The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object. No true ormolu was produced in France after around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury. Therefore, other techniques were used instead but nothing surpasses the original mercury-firing ormolu method for sheer beauty and richness of colour. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt (also known as vermeil). Mahogany is probably one of the largest ‘families’ of hardwood, having many different varieties within its own species. Mahogany has been used for centuries in ship building, house building, furniture making etc and is the core structure of just about every 19th century vanity box, dressing case or jewelry box. It became more of a Victorian trend to dress Mahogany with these decorative veneers, such as Rosewood, Kingwood, Burr Walnut and Coromandel, so that the actual mahogany was almost hidden from view. Mahogany itself is a rich reddish brown wood that can range from being plain in appearance to something that is so vibrant, figured and almost three dimensional in effect. Although Mahogany was most often used in its solid form, it also provided some beautifully figured varieties of veneer like ‘Flame’ Mahogany and ‘Fiddleback’ Mahogany (named after its preferred use in the manufacture of Fine musical instruments). Cuban Mahogany was so sought after, that by the late 1850s, this particular variety became all but extinct.

Dimensions:
Height: 38.19 in (97 cm)Width: 48.82 in (124 cm)Depth: 23.23 in (59 cm)
Style:
Empire Revival (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Fabric,Mahogany,Ormolu
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1880-1889
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1880
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A1470a1stDibs: LU950622074022

More From This Seller

View All

Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Desk, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is an exquisite French Empire Revival pedestal desk, circa 1880 in date. This desk has been beautifully crafted from flame mahogany. The top has a striking gold tooled black leather inset writing surface which has a decorative geometric inlaid satinwood and ebony border around it. It features beautifully cast gilded Ormolu mounts including angels, pharaonic herms above paw feet and swan escutcheons. It is further enhanced with male masks wearing nemes headress's on the sides, making it an incredibly imposing and impressive item of furniture. The desk features seven drawers for maximum storage, it is freestanding with a beautifully panelled back and comes complete with the original working locks and keys. This desk will soon become the centrepiece of your furniture collection, there is no mistaking the sophisticated quality and design and it is certain to enhance the style and elegance of any living area, bedroom, or reception. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, French polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 76 x width 150 x depth 80 Dimensions in inches: Height 29.9 x width 59.1 x depth 31.5 Empire style, is an early 19th century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until circa 1830. The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon's leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France. The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of neoclassicism which is also called "Directoire", after a government system. Furniture typically had symbols and ornaments borrowed from the glorious ancient Greek and Roman empires. The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N." Gilded bronze (ormolu) details displayed a high level of craftsmanship. Flame mahogany Thomas Sheraton - 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as "best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works...

Category

Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Desk, 19th Century

$7,741

Antique Pair French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Armchairs 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a fantastic and highly decorative antique pair of French gilt bronze mounted Empire Revival fauteuil armchairs, circa 1870 in date. They have been crafted from fabulous sol...

Category

Antique 1870s French Empire Revival Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Pair French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Armchairs 19th Century

$5,789

Antique Pair Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Fauteuil Chairs 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a fantastic and highly decorative antique pair of French gilt bronze mounted Empire Revival fauteuil chairs, circa 1880 in date. They have been crafted from fabulous solid m...

Category

Antique 1880s Empire Revival Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Antique Pair Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Fauteuil Chairs 19th Century

$3,298 / set

Antique Ormolu Mounted French Empire Revival Pedestal Desk 20th Century

Located in London, GB

This is an exquisite antique French Empire Revival pedestal desk, Circa 1920 in date. This desk has been beautifully crafted from flame mahogany. The top has a decorative ormolu bod...

Category

Vintage 1920s French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Ormolu Mounted French Empire Revival Pedestal Desk 20th Century

$11,443

Antique French Ormolu & Marble Casket 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a fine antique French Empire Revival ormolu and patinated marble casket, circa 1820 in date. Of rectangular form decorated with a central sculp...

Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Revival Animal Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique French Ormolu & Marble Casket 19th Century

$1,716

Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Partners Desk 19th Century

Located in London, GB

A superb Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Empire Revival Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk, Circa 1870 in date. This imposing Empire Revival partners desk is mounted with fine ormolu...

Category

Antique 1870s Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Partners Desk 19th Century

$9,760

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Settees

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Settee / Sofa

$8,500

19th Century French Empire Ormolu Sphinx Egyptian Hardwood Suite Sofa Armchairs

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to this very decorative collectable suite of mahogany with ornate Sphinx & Griffon ormolu mounted French Empire Egyptian reviva...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Egyptian Revival Living Room Sets

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Ormolu Sphinx Egyptian Hardwood Suite Sofa Armchairs

$16,155 / set

French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century

By Achille Collas

Located in London, by appointment only

Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Settee An Empire finely carved dark figured mahogany three seat settee, the back is surmounted by facing scrolls with strigilated flutes be...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Settees

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century

$20,194

19th Century Architectural Empire Salon-Sofa Superstructure, circa 1890

Located in Berlin, DE

Mahogany on solid wood. Architecturally designed body flanked by solid columns. Facet-ground mirror and glass panes. Gilded bronze fittings. In the middle a two-seat sofa. (O-...

Category

Antique 1890s French Empire Revival Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Architectural Empire Salon-Sofa Superstructure, circa 1890

$13,089

GUSTAVIAN SETTEE SOFA 19th Century

Located in Barcelona, ES

A particularly deep and generously sized Swedish settee. Wool upholstery and carved, cerused frame.

Category

Antique 19th Century Sofas

Materials

Wool, Upholstery

GUSTAVIAN SETTEE SOFA 19th Century

$10,998

Late 19th Century French Empire Style Sofa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Late 19th century French Empire style sofa. Consists of beautiful hand carved wood details all around and patterned gold-tone upholstery. Dimension...

Category