Chinese Enamel Gilt Vases with Silver Foil Underlay Lamps

A Chinese pair of ormolu-mounted enamel gilt vases, with silver…
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A Chinese pair of ormolu-mounted enamel gilt vases, with silver foil Underlay, 19th century, the vases of rich blue enamel over a copper base are decorated with white panels painted with court ladies in a palace interior to one side, and an equestrian scene to the other, scrolling vines in silver underlay to the enamels surround these cartouches, converted to lamps, with tall glass chimneys and cut crystal shades, the ormolu mounts probably French, 80 cm high. Provenance: Private Collection, Melbourne, Purchased in 1998

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  • Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.

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