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Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Armchair 19th Century

$2,271.31
£1,650
€1,929.01
CA$3,106.31
A$3,387.38
CHF 1,791.06
MX$40,747.05
NOK 22,728.80
SEK 20,830.73
DKK 14,408.51

About the Item

This is a fine antique French Empire revival omolu mounted mahogany armchair, Circa 1880 in date. The bow-shaped top rail above a twin slat backrest applied with ormolu anthemion, rosettes and palmette mounts, the over stuffed-seat is upholstered with sumptuous Italian tan leather by Moore Giles, and the chair is raised on square tapering legs terminating in ormolu lion's paw feet. It is an absolute masterpiece which is sure to get a lot of attention wherever it is placed. 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 and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 77 cm x Width 61 cm x Depth 55 cm Height 52 cm  - Seat height Dimensions in inches: Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 2 foot x Depth 1 foot, 10 inches Height 1 foot, 8 inches - Seat height Gilt Bronze / 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. Our reference: A4730
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 30.32 in (77 cm)Width: 24.02 in (61 cm)Depth: 21.66 in (55 cm)
  • Style:
    Empire Revival (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1880
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: A47301stDibs: LU950648104312

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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 THAT THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY RESTRICTED MATERIALS. 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...
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