Antique Pair Monumental 4ft Ormolu Mounted Malachite Obelisks on Stands C1920

A monumental pair of Neoclassical ormolu mounted malachite obelisks on mahogany pedestals, Circa 1920 in date.

The square conforming malachite columns taper to pyramid shapes with applied decorative gilt ormolu mounts.

The obelisks stand on malachite stepped plinth bases that are decorated with impressive ormolu mounts and raised on decorative ormolu feet.

They stand on a pair of antique Empire Revival ormolu mounted mahogany pedestals with square stepped tops over gilt reeded friezes on rectangular column decorated with satin wood crossbanding and ormolu rosettes palmette mounts.

There is no mistaking the quality of this masterpiece which is sure to be a treasured addition to your home.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 222 x Width 34 x Depth 34

Dimensions in inches:

Height 7 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 1 inch x Depth 1 foot, 1 inch

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 - 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: A3241a