This is a beautiful antique French ormolu mounted walnut bijouterie cabinet, circa 1880 in date.
The shaped oval top has a glass insert over a serpentine glazed cupboard door which opens to a fitted interior with a single glazed shelf. The cabinet is freestanding, the sides are all glazed and it is raised on elegant tapering cabriole legs decorated with foliate ormolu cast mounts on lion''s paw feet.
It bears the brass retailers label for the antique dealer S.Dawes & Son, of Chelsea, London, who would have retailed it in the past.
Complete with working lock and key.
An ideal gift for the collector in your life.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:Height 105 cm x Width 71.5 cm x Depth 53 cm
Dimensions in inches:Height 3 foot, 5 inches x Width 2 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches
Ormolu - (from French ''or moulu'', signifying ground or pounde
...d 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.
S. Dawes & Sons was a historical antique dealer located in Chelsea, London, known for its antique furniture. It appears the business is no longer operating as a physical store but is recognized in the context of antique provenance and history.
Our reference: A4867
Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse.
Internal Reference: A4867
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1186889
Dateline of this antique is 1880
Height is 105cm (41.3inches)Width is 71.5cm (28.1inches)Depth is 53cm (20.9inches)
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