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Antique Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat Desk Hopilliart Paris 18th Century

Antique Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat Desk Hopilliart Paris 18th Century | Ref. no. A2147 | Regent Antiques Sold
Ref: A2147
Price: £ 0.00
This is a fine and rare antique ormolu mounted French kingwood and marquetry bureau plat, Circa 1790 in date. It has highly...

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This is a fine and rare antique ormolu mounted French kingwood and marquetry bureau plat, Circa 1790 in date.

It has highly decorative ormolu mounts that are signed VD on the underside.

The shaped rectangular top has a decorative ormolu border which is inset with a superb shaped gilt-tooled browny-gray leather writing surface. It has one long central and two short shaped frieze drawers on one side and false drawers on the other. It is raised on cabriole legs headed by stunning scrolled acathus foliate espagnolettes and terminating in ormolu sabots.

It is freestanding and finished with beautiful foliate marquetry on all sides so that it can stand freely in the centre of your room.

Complete with the original working locks  and key.

The locks are stamped VF Paris with the crossed keys mark.

The underside of the desk is stamped in ink: 'HOPILLIART et LEROY, 13 RUE DES ST. PERES, PARIS'

  • The Maison Hopilliart was established in 1781 and still operates on the Rue des Saints-Pères under the name of Galerie Hopilliart Leroux. Marcel Proust was one of their more famous clients, purchasing numerous items there and even selling some of his own furniture through them. In a 1912 letter to his friend, the composer Reynaldo Hahn, Proust mentions a pair of tables de salon that Hahn examined for him at Hopilliart.


This is a truly lovely piece which will display beautifully in any interior.
 

Condition:

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


Dimensions in cm:

Height 81 x Width 196 x Depth 97

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 8 inches x Width 6 foot, 5 inches x Depth 3 foot, 2 inches

Our reference: A2147

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 copperbrass, 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.

Kingwood
is a classic furniture wood, almost exclusively used for inlays on very fine furniture. Occasionally it is used in the solid for small items and turned work, including parts of billiard cues, e.g., those made by John Parris. It is brownish-purple with many fine darker stripes and occasional irregular swirls. Occasionally it contains pale streaks of a similar colour to sapwood.

The wood is very dense and hard and can be brought to a spectacular finish. it turns well but due to its density and hardness can be difficult to work with hand tools. It also has a tendency to blunt the tools due to its abrasive properties.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 81 x Width 196 x Depth 97

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 8 inches x Width 6 foot, 5 inches x Depth 3 foot, 2 inches

Shipping:

We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge.

A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase.

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We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply.

In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item.

The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition.

Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses.

Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom, and we are not responsible for any delays in shipping or in the customs procedures of any jurisdiction, which are completely beyond our control.

Please be advised that claims for damage with certain carriers can sometimes take several months to resolve, and we would be grateful for your patience and cooperation throughout the process.

Returns will be processed and refunds issued within 2-3 business days of receipt.

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