What characterises Adam Revival style wall lights?

Adam Revival wall lights are inspired by 18th-century Neoclassical designs by Robert Adam, featuring classical symmetry, urns, foliage motifs, and tapered backplates.

What materials were traditionally used for 19th-century wall sconces?

19th-century wall sconces were predominantly crafted from cast brass, bronze, or ormolu, often finished with gold gilding or lacquer to prevent tarnishing.

How can authentic 19th-century gilt sconces be identified?

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-chased surface details, heavy cast metal bases, natural surface oxidisation, and traditional threaded assembly methods.

How do you style a pair of antique wall sconces in a modern interior?

Mount them symmetrically alongside architectural elements, such as flanking a central mirror, artwork, or mantelpiece, to frame the space.

How should gilded brass and bronze wall lights be preserved?

Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth; avoid chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners that can strip or degrade the original gilded finish.

for sale €1,814 $1,969

£1,550

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French Style Wall Lights

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Id #SA1017585

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Antique Adam Revival Pair Decorative Triple Branch Wall Lights 19th C

Name: Antique Adam Revival Pair Decorative Triple Branch Wall Lights 19th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1017585
Price: 1550 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a stunning pair of Adam Revival antique gilded ormolu triple branch candle wall lights, dating from the Circa 1840.

Each wall light has a tapering body, supporting a spiral twist and acanthus cast candelearm terminating in gadrooned sockets terminating in a tassel finial.

Add an elegant touch to your home with these wonderful candle wall lights.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 44 x Width 30 x Depth 20

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 5 inches x Width 1 foot x Depth 8 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: A1620a

Physical Dimensions

Height

44cm (17.32")

Width

30cm (11.81")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated these Adam Revival Wall Lights to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1017585

Dealers Internal Reference

A1620a

Description

This is a stunning pair of Adam Revival antique gilded ormolu triple branch candle wall lights, dating from the Circa 1840.

“

Each wall light has a tapering body, supporting a spiral twist and acanthus cast candelearm terminating in gadrooned sockets terminating in a tassel finial.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival gilt brass three-branch wall lights decorated with acanthus motifs. — fig 1. Antique Adam Revival Pair Decorative Triple Branch Wall Lights 19th C

Add an elegant touch to your home with these wonderful candle wall lights.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 44 x Width 30 x Depth 20

Dimensions in inches:

fig 2. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival gilt brass three-branch wall lights decorated with acanthus motifs. — fig 2. Antique Adam Revival Pair Decorative Triple Branch Wall Lights 19th C

Height 1 foot, 5 inches x Width 1 foot x Depth 8 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'.

fig 3. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival gilt brass three-branch wall lights decorated with acanthus motifs. — fig 3. Antique Adam Revival Pair Decorative Triple Branch Wall Lights 19th C

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.

fig 4. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival gilt brass three-branch wall lights decorated with acanthus motifs. — fig 4. Antique Adam Revival Pair Decorative Triple Branch Wall Lights 19th C

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: A1620a