Antique Large Empire Period Bronze Table Lamp C1820 19th Century

An elegant French Empire bronze and marble table lamp, circa 1820 in date.

The candlestick later converted into a lamp features an ancanthus capital, a fluted tapering column on claw feet raised on a shaped triangular Siena marble and bronze base.

Add some neo-classical style to your home with this lovely lamp.

Condition:

In excellent working condition having been beautifully cleaned and the lamp professionally rewired, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 48 x Width 20 x Depth 20

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 7 inches x Width 8 inches x Depth 8 inches

Ormolu / Gilt Bronze - (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 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. .

Our reference: A1963

Internal Ref:

A1963

Date of manufacture : 19th Century