Antique Italian Pietra Dura Occasional Table Early 20th C

This is a beautiful antique Italian circular Marble top occasional table decorated with ormolu mounts, early 20th Century in date.

It is masterfully crafted in walnut and raised on an elegant triform base centred by an ormolu urn finial on turned scroll feet with brass legs.

It is surmouned with a very decorative pietra dura circular marble top that is inset with many beautiful and varied types of marble, including malachite and bluejohn.

There is no mistaking the unique quality and elaborate design, which is certain to make it a talking point in your home and a fine embellishment to your reception room.

Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned waxed and polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:
Height 77 x Width 61 x Depth 61

Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 2 foot x Depth 2 foot

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: A3240