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Ormolu / gilt bronze

Europe tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: $5k–50k (serious collector)

Ormolu (; from French or moulu 'ground/pounded gold') or gilt-bronze is the gilding technique of applying finely ground, high-carat gold–mercury amalgam to an object of bronze, and objects finished in this way. The mercury is driven off in a kiln, leaving behind a gold coating. Around 1830, legislation in France outlawed the use of mercury for health reasons, though use continued to the 1900s. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Clock
Clock, c. 1695
Cleveland Museum of Art
Garniture Set (one clock and 2 vases)
Garniture Set (one clock and 2 vases), 1736–1770
Cleveland Museum of Art
Clock
Clock, c. 1750
Cleveland Museum of Art
Clock
Clock, c. 1785
Cleveland Museum of Art
Tall- case Clock (Regulateur)
Tall- case Clock (Regulateur), 1744
Cleveland Museum of Art

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.