Antique Pair Ormolu Verde Antico Marble Candelabra c.1860

This is a beautiful antique pair of highly decorative late 19th Century French green "verde antico" marble and gilded ormolu ovoid three-light candelabra, C 1860 in date.

The branches and sconces are superbly cast as roses, with decorative twin handles to the sides, and raised on acanthus and fruiting laurel socles.

They will add a touch of elegance to a special place in your home.

Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:
Height 46 x Width 13 x Depth 13

Dimensions in inches:
Height 18.1 x Width 5.1 x Depth 5.1

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: 07669