Antique Italian Ormolu Mounted Malachite Lidded Casket Circa 1900

A superb quality antique Italian Ormolu mounted Malachite jewellery casket, circa 1900 in date.

The rectangular casket is veneered in panels of malachite, the hinged lid is mounted with a 24k gold plate gilt bronze ribbon-tied crest and the borders feature twisted rope mounts. It opens to reveal a polished black marble interior and is raised on four ormolu scrolled foliate feet.

The ormolu is all 24K gold plated on bronze.

This jewellery casket is of superb quality and is incredibly rare, it will instantly enhance any room.

Condition:

In excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned  in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

 

Dimensions in cm:

Height 8.5 cm x Width 19 cm x Depth 11.5 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 inches x Width 7 inches x Depth 4 inches

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. 

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.

Our reference: A4638