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ID #SA1240191
FOR SALE
£1,050
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Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 19th C
For sale by Regent Antiques
for sale €1,229     $1,334
£1,050
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016
Browse dealers 669 items
  • About Us
    We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
  • Trade Associations
    Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1240191
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Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 19th C

19th century
For Sale by Regent Antiques
Description

This is a superb French pair of antique Louis XVI revival ormolu three-branch wall lights, circa 1870 in date.

 

A  pair of very decorative ormolu wall sconces, each with three spiral-twist fluted arms, with large ribbon-bow surmounts and double tassle back plate ends.

 

There is no mistaking their unique quality and design, and they will instantly enhance the style of one special room in your home.

 

Provenance:

Laneley Hall, Llantrisant, Wales.

 

Condition:

In excellent condition, having been cleaned, fully rewired, and PAT tested.

Please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 60 cm x Width 37.5 cm x Depth 17.5 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 feet x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 7 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: A5424b

Physical Dimensions
Height
60cm (23.62")
Width
37.5cm (14.76")
Depth
17.5cm (6.89")
Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated these French Ormolu Wall Sconces to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1240191
Dealers Internal Reference
A5424b
Description
This is a superb French pair of antique Louis XVI revival ormolu three-branch wall lights, circa 1870 in date.

 

“
A  pair of very decorative ormolu wall sconces, each with three spiral-twist fluted arms, with large ribbon-bow surmounts and double tassle back plate ends.
Regent Antiques
fig 1. A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.
fig 1. Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 19th C

 

There is no mistaking their unique quality and design, and they will instantly enhance the style of one special room in your home.

 

Provenance:

Laneley Hall, Llantrisant, Wales.

 

Condition:

In excellent condition, having been cleaned, fully rewired, and PAT tested.

fig 2. A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.
fig 2. Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 19th C

Please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 60 cm x Width 37.5 cm x Depth 17.5 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 feet x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 7 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 French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.
fig 3. Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 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 French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.
fig 4. Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 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: A5424b

Height
60cm (23.62")
Width
37.5cm (14.76")
Depth
17.5cm (6.89")
Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated these French Ormolu Wall Sconces to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1240191
Dealers Internal Ref
A5424b
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2016

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Regent Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

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A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.
1 / 9
Archive I A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.

Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 19th C

Archive II A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View II
Archive III A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View III
Archive IV A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View IV
Archive V A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View V
Archive VI A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View VI
Archive VII A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials. View IX
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Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques
Telephone 020 8809 9605 or 020 8802 3900
Location
Manor Warehouse
318 Green Lanes
London
N4 1BX
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
Items For Sale 669
Items Sold 2,672
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: Manor Warehouse, 318 Green Lanes, London, N4 1BX, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified
Sep 2016
For Sale
669
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A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.
Antique Pair Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Circa 1870 19th C
Ref: SA1240191
A pair of 19th-century French gilt bronze three-branch wall sconces styled with ribbon bow tops and tassel finials.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Sconces
  • Period19th century
  • StyleLouis XVI Style
  • MaterialGilt Bronze, Ormolu
  • ColourGold
  • MotifsRibbon bow crest, Tassel drapery, Foliate arms, Acanthus scrollwork
  • SizeH 60 cm (24 in) x W 37.5 cm (15 in) x D 17.5 cm (7 in)

This pair of 19th-century Louis XVI style wall sconces originates from circa 1870. Fashioned from gilt bronze and ormolu in a bright gold colour, the matching lights display elaborate decoration including large ribbon-bow crests at the top, tassel drapery hanging from the back plates, and foliate acanthus scrollwork across the three spiral-twist fluted arms. Each sconce holds three candle-style lamp holders with white simulated wax sleeves. Measuring 60 cm high, 37.5 cm wide, and 17.5 cm deep, these wall-mounted fixtures occupy narrow wall spaces effectively. Suitable for placement on a feature wall in a drawing room, hallway, or dining room, the sconces integrate well into period interior schemes. The metalwork presents a clean, polished finish resulting from professional cleaning and rewiring, with visible electrical wiring components hidden behind the mounting brackets. The design incorporates intricate cast details along the central stems and arms, creating symmetrical illumination when installed on either side of a mirror, fireplace, or architectural doorway.

FAQs

Ormolu wall sconces originated in 18th-century France, gaining widespread popularity during the Louis XVI and Napoleon III eras. Characterised by classical motifs such as ribbon bows, tassels, and acanthus leaves, these gilt bronze fixtures were designed to reflect candlelight and illuminate grand interior walls.

Traditional ormolu sconces are cast in solid bronze or brass before being finished with a layer of gold. Historically, fire-gilding involved applying a gold-mercury amalgam to the bronze base, which was then fired to evaporate the mercury, leaving behind a finely chased metallic gilded finish.

Authentic 19th-century pieces display crisp hand-chased detailing, heavy cast metal weight, and threaded assembly bolts on the reverse. The gilding often shows age-appropriate oxidisation and subtle wear in recessed areas rather than modern, uniform electroplated coating.

Ormolu sconces are commonly mounted in pairs to flank a central mantlepiece, entryway mirror, or artwork. Placing classical gilded fixtures against contemporary painted backgrounds creates balanced visual contrast between historic metalwork and clean modern lines.

Ormolu should be dusted regularly with a soft, dry camel-hair brush or microfibre cloth. Chemical polishes, abrasive cleansers, and water should be avoided, as they can strip or damage the original gold gilding.
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