ORMOLU
 |
| 3 |
 |
| 4 |
Ormolu is a gilded bronze decoration used in decorative arts as an ornamental trim. Also widely used in furniture, it was first noticed in France in the 17th century and was made from a paste made from high carat gold and mercury amalgam. But it was hazardous and "most gilders did not survive beyond 40 years of age."(5) Truly art to die for! Later gilded bronze was made with 50% copper and zinc, but today we see more electroplating than the handmade ormolu of yesteryear. Still, when you see ormolu on a case good or decorative art piece, you'll know what to call it and how it was made. It is truly an art form. Ormolu artisans achieved their highest artistic and technical achievement in France and were then copied by others. The silver gilt form is called vermeil.
Here is another type of ormolu called Manga Ormolu where manga wood ornamentation is added to a chinese porcelain vase. This is so cool!
Must be the old art teacher in me, but I hope you enjoyed learning about this as much as I did!
Thanks for the lesson this morning, Nancy! I love antiques and I always enjoy the chance to learn more about their history!
ReplyDeleteI have a thing for ormolu. The mister thinks I am nuts for liking it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ms. Teacher ... I love learning from you!! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Mrs. Powell! Now I can use the correct and fancy name ormolu when I see one! Not a big fan of the manga version, although my son, would probably disagree! :-)
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness. SO beautiful, and thank you for the lesson!! I would love to have any of pieces, especially the next to last!
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday.
Teresa
xoxo
Nancy I loved hearing more about this process. When we see it; we know it is a true work of art!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Feature: Artist Anne Harwell
That's really interesting! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea...thanks for the class!
ReplyDeleteLoved the lesson, and I agree those blue and white vases with the added adornment looks really cool.
ReplyDeleteInteresting,especially since I'm cleaning up an old mirror with very fake ormulu, but it's looking pretty good.
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I learned about ormolu when I was 10! My aunt is a collector of fine french antiques and she schooled me about the ornamentation of french antiques. She did not tell me that the artists died so young so I did learn something!! Great post!
ReplyDeleteso interesting...I love learning about this stuff! do you have a good book to recommend that is in line with the history of furniture?
ReplyDeleteI really don't but I need one! I'll keep you posted on finding a good one. I just have a list of terms I have collected and then I research each one. So interesting isn't it!
DeleteWell, I just got a little dose of design school! I've never heard of ormolu. Thanks for the lesson, Nancy!
ReplyDelete