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ID #SA1240193
FOR SALE
£1,950
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Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Mid 19th Circa 1870
For sale by Regent Antiques
for sale €2,282     $2,477
£1,950
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 #SA1240193
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Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Mid 19th Circa 1870

19th century
For Sale by Regent Antiques
Description

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

 

The set of four very decorative ormolu wall sconces, each with three spiral-twist fluted arms, with large ribbon-bow surmounts and double-tassel 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.

France produced no true ormolu after around 1830 because legislation 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: A5424a

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

Regent Antiques has dated these Ormolu Three Branch Sconces to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1240193
Dealers Internal Reference
A5424a
Description
This is a superb antique French set of four antique Louis XVI revival ormolu three-branch wall lights, circa 1870 in date.

 

“
The set of four very decorative ormolu wall sconces, each with three spiral-twist fluted arms, with large ribbon-bow surmounts and double-tassel back plate ends.
Regent Antiques
fig 1. Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.
fig 1. Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Mid 19th Circa 1870

 

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. Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.
fig 2. Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Mid 19th Circa 1870

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. Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.
fig 3. Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Mid 19th Circa 1870

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. Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.
fig 4. Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Mid 19th Circa 1870

France produced no true ormolu after around 1830 because legislation 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: A5424a

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

Regent Antiques has dated these Ormolu Three Branch Sconces to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1240193
Dealers Internal Ref
A5424a
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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Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.
1 / 10
Archive I Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.

Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces Mid 19th Circa 1870

Archive II Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View II
Archive III Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View III
Archive IV Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View IV
Archive V Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View V
Archive VI Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View VI
Archive VII Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View VII
Archive VIII Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View VIII
Archive IX Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View IX
Archive X Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops. View X
Enlarged Archival View
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
Sold
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Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.
Antique Set of 4 Ormolu Three Branch Wall Lights Sconces mid 19th Circa 1870
Ref: SA1240193
Set of four gilt bronze three-branch wall lights featuring ribbon bow cresting and hanging tassel drops.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Lights
  • Period19th century
  • StyleLouis XVI Revival
  • MaterialOrmolu, Gilt Bronze, Brass
  • ColourGold
  • MotifsRibbon bow crest, Tassel drop, Acanthus leaves, Scroll branches
  • SizeH 60 cm (24 in) x W 37.5 cm (15 in) x D 17.5 cm (7 in)

This set of four antique wall lights dates from the mid 19th century in the Louis XVI revival style. The pieces are formed from ormolu, gilt bronze, and brass in a gold colour, and each sconce features three scroll branches, a ribbon bow cresting, acanthus leaves, and a tassel drop. Additional visible details include spiral-twist fluted arms, cylindrical candle sleeves, and mounting plates. The four wall lights measure 60 cm high, 37.5 cm wide, and 17.5 cm deep. These decorative French chateau style sconces are suitable for placement in a home today on narrow wall spaces such as beside a fireplace, framing a mirror, or along a hallway. The set arrives in excellent condition having undergone cleaning, full rewiring, and PAT testing.

FAQs

Louis XVI style ormolu wall lights are characterised by symmetrical Neoclassical motifs inspired by classical antiquity, including ribbons, bows, tassels, drapery, and acanthus foliage. Cast in bronze and gilded, these fixtures feature clean, geometric alignments paired with delicate scrolling arms.

Nineteenth-century ormolu sconces were crafted from cast bronze or brass, which was chased by hand to create surface texture prior to applying a gold coating. The individual components, such as candle branches, backplates, and decorative finials, were assembled using threaded central rods and iron screws.

Authentic period pieces display cast bronze weight, hand-chased surface details, and subtle signs of historical wear on the gilding along raised edges. The reverse side typically shows unpolished bronze casting marks along with hand-cut threads or square nuts rather than modern machine stamping.

Gilt wall lights can be wired for low-wattage electric bulbs or fitted with wax candles to serve as ambient accent lighting. Installing them in pairs along corridors, flanking a central mirror, or placing them above side cabinets creates symmetrical architectural structure.

Dust should be regularly removed using a dry, soft-bristled brush or microfibre cloth. Abrasive chemical polishes, solvent cleaners, and water immersion must be avoided, as these can strip original gold gilding or compromise fragile surface patination.
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