Antique Pair Ormolu Wall Lights Appliques Circa 1920

This is a fine pair of antique Regency Revival twin branch ormolu wall candle lights dating from Circa 1920.

The wall lights feature ribbon bow tops above tapering bodies with decorative mounts, each with acanthus leaf cast shaped branch arms with sconces and drip trays.

Add an elegant touch to your home with this decorative pair of ormolu candle wall lights.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been cleaned in our workshops.

Please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 33 cm x Width 24 cm x Depth 9 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 1 inch x Width 9 inches x Depth 3 inches

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).

Our reference: A3692

Internal Ref:

A3692

Date of manufacture : 1920