French Empire Bureau Plat Desk, 19th Century

This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date. The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very decorative gilt-bronze border. The frieze has three oak lined drawers and is profusely decorated with gilt bronze anthemion plaques. The desk features large Egyptian Revival neoclassical winged sphinxes on each corner and is raised on four square section tapering legs terminating in ormolu feet. It is freestanding, finished all around, so it can stand freely in the centre of a room. It is an absolute masterpiece which is sure to get attention wherever it is placed. Complete with original working lock and key. The item is not CITES pursuant. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 82 x width 182 x depth 92 Dimensions in inches: Height 32.3 x width 71.7 x depth 36.2 Gilt bronze- 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. After circa 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.