19th Century French Malachite and Ormolu Mounted Vitrine Cabinet

View Similar Items

Antique French Parquetry Ormolu Mounted Vitrine Cabinet 19th C

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Vitrine Display Cabinet, 19th C

Antique Square Ormolu Mounted Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th Century

19th Century French Ormolu-Mounted 'Vernis Martin' Vitrine

French Kingwood Parquetry and Floral Ormolu-Mounted Cabinet, 19th Century

French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Kingwood and Ormolu Mounted Vitrine

Palatial French 19th Century Louis XV Style Kingwood & Ormolu Mounted Vitrine

18th Century Ormolu Mounted French Kingwood Cabinet/Vitrine

French Stone Overlay Ormolu Mounted Cabinet, 19th Century

Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood Vitrine

Outstanding 19th Century French Rosewood Ormolu Bronze Mounting Vitrine Curio

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

19th Century French Malachite and Ormolu Mounted Vitrine Cabinet

About the Item

This is a beautiful antique French Malachite and Ormolu mounted vitrine in the French Louis XV manner, circa 1870 in date. This beautiful cabinet has an abundance of exquisite decorative ormolu mounts inset with malachite. The domed cornice above a glazed panelled door enclosing adjustable shelves, above a drawer, and raised on elegant ebonized feet. Complete with working locks and keys. It will add a touch of unparalleled style to your home and is perfect for displaying your collection of silver or porcelain. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully restored and relined in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 227 x width 16 x depth 51 Dimensions in inches: Height 89.4 x width 6.3 x depth 20.1 Kingwood is a classic furniture wood, almost exclusively used for inlays on very fine furniture. Occasionally it is used in the solid for small items and turned work, including parts of billiard cues, e.g., those made by John Parris. It is brownish-purple with many fine darker stripes and occasional irregular swirls. Occasionally it contains pale streaks of a similar color to sapwood. The wood is very dense and hard and can be brought to a spectacular finish. It turns well but due to its density and hardness can be difficult to work with hand tools. It also has a tendency to blunt the tools due to its abrasive properties. 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-colored 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. After circa 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt. Malachite is an opaque, green banded mineral. It is believed to be a strong protector of children. It protects the wearer from accidents and protects travellers. Malachite has been used to aid success in business and protect against undesirable business associations. It is a stone of balance in relationships. Malachite is always green, usually in banded tones varying from very dark green to a mellow green. Most malachite comes from Zaire, Chile and Australia. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used malachite for jewelry and ground it to use as eye shadow. It is used in amulets to protect against the evil eye. In the Middle Ages it was used to protect children from witches and other dangers.

Dimensions:
Height: 89.38 in (227 cm)Width: 44.49 in (113 cm)Depth: 20.08 in (51 cm)
Style:
Louis XV (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Malachite,Ormolu,Walnut
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1870-1879
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1870
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A12921stDibs: LU950619937882