An extravagant large Italian Gilt Bronze and Pietra Dura Games/Poker /Card casket. The stunning ormolu casket with two handles, the lid and sides inset with pietra dura panels of playing cards and counters comprising, malachite, blue john, and various exotic minerals, the interior divided and lined with burgundy baize. Complete with playing cards, chips, dice, etc. Condition:In really excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, waxed and the interior relined in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm:Height 10 x Width 33 x Depth 27 Dimensions in inches:Height 4 inches x Width 1 foot, 1 inch x Depth 11 inches Ormolu - Gilt Bronze (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. After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt.. Our reference: A2538Height is 10cm (3.9inches)
Width is 33cm (13.0inches)
Depth is 27cm (10.6inches)