Antique French Kingwood Malachite & Ormolu Mounted Vitrine Cabinet 19th C

This is a beautiful antique French kingwood, 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 ebonised 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 113 x Depth 51

Dimensions in inches:

Height 89.4 x Width 44.5 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 colour 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-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.

After around 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 jewellery 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.

Our reference: A1292

Internal Ref:

A1292

Date of manufacture : 19th Century