What's It Wednesday #8
Part of the reason I love collecting antiques is simply because of the history behind each piece. The other part of the reason is because of the sheer beauty of such found objets d'art.
Ormolu originally came from the French which meant to ground or pound gold. By the 18th-century the English used the term for applying very finely ground gold into a mercury mixture that was then applied to bronze. As you can imagine this was very dangerous. In fact, the artisans that originally applied this technique did not live to see age 50.
Around 1830, mercury was banned in France and the process evolved into a type of electro-plating. Ormolu is most commonly seen on decorative items such as tables, clocks, and vases. This ormolu casket jewelry box with velvet interior was an absolute steal. I purchased it for $2.00 at the local Goodwill because it has a hairline crack in the beveled glass top. Nothing a strain a pearls can't hide
It was love at first sight when I saw this French perfume bottle at a French antique store. The gold ormolu floral motif overlay over molded glass just made my heart skip a beat.
This 24 karat gold plated double cherub perfume bottle with atomizer is my absolute favorite.
This antique gold gilt ormolu has a beautiful leaf motif covering the glass perfume bottle.
Sometimes finding the right piece, for the right price, can take years. But that’s half of the fun. I had always wanted a French lace vanity tray. It was so worth the wait.
Patience lead to the perfect vignette for our dresser. I topped it off with the ormolu standing hand mirror. Nothing like a little gold to make a girl feel special.
What have you collected that made your heart skip a beat?
xoxoxo
Paula
Thank you all for participating in our
"What's It Wednesday" linky party!
Don't forget to grab a feature button.
Here are this week's features.
First Come Flowers has 5 fabulous tips on how to decorate birdcages. |
Carmelina created the most beautiful snowflakes. |
Come and experience a heavenly Nordic Winter at Heaven's Walk |
You must experience this absolutely amazing kitchen renovation at Miss Gracie's House |
You are going to want to run out and find a settee after visiting Shenita's place at Embellishments at SLR |
This is classic blue and white heaven at the Swedish Corner - Down Under |
They are all so beautiful. Great find and the Goodwill!! Have a wonderful evening.
ReplyDeleteHi Paula! Beautiful! I'm always amazed at your pretties! :)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Thank you for hosting!!
ReplyDelete... and thanks a million for showing my photo :)
Greetings from Australia♥
So enjoying your party and happy to be joining you again this week!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Susan and Bentley
Hi Paula, What gorgeous treasures you found. Thanks for the party!
ReplyDeleteJann
I am here!! Thanx of roosting ladies!!
ReplyDeleteOh my! So gorgeous! I've learned so much from your blog about things I'd never heard of before! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Oh my goodness Paula, what a beautiful vignette of perfect treasures. The French lace dresser tray is such an amazing piece. All of them are!!!!
ReplyDeleteThose are all such beautiful pieces and as always very informative. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteHi Paula, your pieces are so beautiful. I have the gilded piece to an old antique perfume bottle but the bottle itself was broken. I admire it anyway. Thanks for a wonderful post, just linked up, xo
ReplyDeleteLove those pieces. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll link on up here.
Bernadette @www.b3hd.blogspot.com
Hi Paula,
ReplyDeleteyour Ormolu collection made also my heart beating. All the objects are real treasures and you displayed it fantastic. Thank you for sharing of all this information, for showing your treasures and for hosting this nice party.
Best greetings, Johanna
Your dresser vignette is beautiful. What a great price on the jewelry box!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Wow, I so wish I could stop by to party more often. Beautiful as always!
ReplyDeleteOH YES, or rather, OUI!!!!!!!!! Don't you just love gold? I love to couple it with GRAY VELVET!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI must dash off to work; I suppose you are at school too dearest! LOVE TO YOU! Anita
What a gorgeous collection! Absolutely love the tray and that perfume bottle is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
Oh mym your collection is stunning. Such beautiful pieces. Thanks for hosting such a fun party. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteOoooh, that first perfume bottle is so pretty. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteOops, forgot to tell one of you Happy Delta Anniversary. (I can't remember which one of you is a member. And if I don't do it now, and go back and look at your old posts, I'll forget.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing again this week, Laura
ReplyDeleteIt is all so beautiful, I love the round glass dresser tray with the lace under it. I have round mirror trays but not a one with the lace . They usually cost up in the hundreds here at antique shops
ReplyDeleteso glad you started the weekly party. You always have great treasures to show
Paula you have such a great eye. I adore the perfume bottle with the beautiful leaf overlay!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Hi lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting your linky party. I see you have more great finds from the goodwill!! Beautiful.
I just put your Button on my blog, hope you have a wonderful week with your family.
XXOO Diane
Your collection is beautiful Paula! Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteLove your vignette. The hunt is most of the fun and your collection is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteRuth
Hi there ladies! Thanks so much for being gracious hostesses! :-)
ReplyDeleteVanessa
I'm really enjoying seeing your pretty things and learning the history behind them! Thanks for hosting this fun party.
ReplyDeleteLynn
Very pretty my friend..I did a post about 2 years ago with my collection of perfume bottle like these..I have 6 of them plus the tray, ring box. and vases..Great minds think alike and all ha ha!! Hope you have the best day ever my friend..Hugs and love Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness, they are GORGEOUS!! So is the tray! I also love that blue and white jar, since I collect blue and white and they are becoming IMPOSSIBLE to find!!!! Thanks agasin for hosting. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteWow! This piece is stunning. What a great find. I also love the lace vanity tray. That is a great find too! Thank you for hosting this lovely party!
ReplyDeleteSherry
This was fun thank you for including me......I love your treasures!!!
ReplyDeleteI always learn something every time I come here! Great information and LOVE that box! What a deal you got (and agreed . . . the pearls do the perfect cover up job!)
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty and amazing collection. I love learning something new everytime I stop by - and seeing something I did not know exsisted. I now want a French lace tray - so pretty.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a collection of pure beauty in your home. It reminds me of days gone by. You live in your own version of "Downton Abby", so congrats on that.
ReplyDeletePaula you had me gasping from pic one! Oh my friend anything ormolu makes my heart go pitter patter! LOVE all the beautiful perfume bottles! (I collect them too...probably no surprise seein' as we're twins and all *winks*) Your lace and ormolu tray is absolutely gorgeous! Worth any wait for sure! I'm wiping drool off my chin and trying to pin pix at the same time lol!
ReplyDeleteOh and thanks for hosting this wonderful party! Stop by and see what made my heart skip a beat this week *winks*
Hi to beautiful Patti too! Vanna
Paula, they're all beautiful treasures.
ReplyDeleteHi Girls,
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this great party. Can't wait to meet new friends. I love the photo of the hanging bird cages - wonderful.
Kathy
Wow, Paula.....those French treasures are seriously amazing! They are so beautiful!!! LUV! I also wanted to thank you so much for featuring my blog today, too! What a sweet surprise! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Wow! You always show us the greatest looking treasures.
ReplyDeleteI have a collection of Fisher Girl prints in ornate frames.
Dee
Hi Paula! I so enjoyed reading your post this week. I just bought my first piece of ormolu last week - a jewelry casket very similar to the one you have. I'm on the hunt for more pieces now. Your collection is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteKim
Gorgeous ormolu! Love the features! Thanks for hosting!...hugs...Debbie
ReplyDeleteHi Paula! I'm glad your link was still open, I didn't want to miss the party! I have that same double cherub holder but it didn't have the perfume bottle when I found it :( and I always thought it was to hold a tube of lipstick! silly me! I love Carmelina's snowflakes, gorgeous! And Renee's kitchen is AMAZING! I love the way she thinks, repurposing the dresser was genius!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the party!
t.xoxooxox
Love your photography! Thanks for the party!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post on Ormolu. You have collected lovely pieces!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the other posts as well.
Nancy
Oh, I love all of these, but I have to say the French perfume bottle is my favotite I've never seen anything like it before. These are all so unique, and they look like antique gold, which I love. Don't ever give that perfume bottle away...it's so pretty.
ReplyDelete~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Hi dear Paula! You have such lovelies, I'm always impressed every time I come to link and visit you, such gorgeousness! Thank you for hosting and have a great evening and weekend. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Thanx for coming to party!
ReplyDeleteHello ! These are sooo beautiful....Me I like the ormolu the best...wonderful. Have a nice weekend ! Gail x
ReplyDeleteComing over from Brenda's Cozy Little House. What a beautiful blog..and you know I am your newest follower. Those pieces are beautiful. Blessings~ Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting. Ormolu - a word I never knew and your wonderful photos and descriptions of your collection - a real treat today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful vignette. Each time on at your site I fall in love all over again with your photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to join our Pin'Inspiration party this week. I'm hoping that you'll pop by tomorrow and share at my "Beat The Winter Blues" party. :-)
Beautiful and elegant pieces indeed!!!
ReplyDeleteI just tagged you via post! Come check it out if you like to join the fun!
http://votreamielouie.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-have-been-taggedyoure-next.html
Oh my!!!! GORGEOUS..I absolutely love these...had a perfume tray similar to this look, unfortunately it absolutely fell apart. Thank you for reminding me to be on the lookout for another one!!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful week to you both,
xoxo,
- Irina