Ivy and Elephants: gilt

Showing posts with label gilt. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Gilty Pleasures

What's It Wednesday #55

Happy New Year Blogland family! May you and yours have a prosperous year full of grace and favor.

One of my guilty pleasures is my ever growing collection and admiration of gilded Victorian treasures.

Gilt refers to the process where objects are gilded by the application of a thin layer of precious metal. In this beautiful Victorian box, a thin layer of gold leaf was added to the surface.

Gilding can be added to wood, stone or metal. As you can see I don't wear a lot of different shades of lipsticks. So the lipstick holder is the perfect place for my one favourite shade.

Gilding can be applied to by hand, chemically, electroplated, or glueing.

The gilding of my grandmother's crystal bowl adds such elegance to this piece.

As you can see it is okay to have "gilty pleasures" in the New Year.

Happy New Year!

xoxoxoxo

Paula

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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Skip to My Ormolu

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

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"What's It Wednesday" linky party!

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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

Monday, November 14, 2011

As Time Goes By

One thing we just don’t have enough of is time. I guess that’s why I’ve always gravitated toward clocks, watches, hourglasses, and all things related to time. My most favorite form of timepiece is the French mantle clock. I’ve a few I’d like to share, like this beauty. It has an enamel inset of angels, a pair of peacocks, and a hand painted satin glass finial. Yummy!

This design originated in France around the 1600’s. It is ormolu or gold-gilt bronze as it is known here in the U.S. The original process added high karat gold to the metal during the firing process. Many of the workers didn’t live past forty from all the metal they inhaled from the process! By the next decade, they exacted a better process. Thank heavens!

Many of the clocks we love were made by the New Haven factory that was formed in Conn. by Hiram Camp in 1853.

The company lasted over one hundred years, but finally closed its doors for good in 1960.

Many of the company’s gorgeous designs still continue to warm our hearts today, like this little guy.

Someone once inquired about my collection and asked me if they all work. In truth, I don’t know, nor do I care.

I just love them for their beauty. It speaks of a time when form was prized over function, and people ‘did’ stop to smell the roses.

I think each face with its delicate enameling and lovely gilt is a work of art.

Even the tiny hands are each unique and intricately designed.

This blown glass one with heavy gilt detail, called my name for a while until the shop owner took pity on my lusting, and a deal was made. Thanks, Ody!

Oh, this little jewel I just had to show you. Not for the watch, but for the exquisite watch holder! It’s egg shaped with a beveled glass door. But, just look at the etched glass back. Isn’t it fabulous! I bought it on eBay and didn’t even notice the etching until it arrived! I guess no one else did either; I got it for a song.

This is my little ball clock I got from the same shop. She knows how I love clocks and put it aside for me. Her shop is amazing. If you’re ever in Miami, check her out at Ody’s Antiques.

Last, what home would be complete without an anniversary clock? I got this tiny one because of the sparkle of the four crystal cubes as they spin back and forth. (You know I can’t resist the bling!)

Thanks for indulging me and giving me a moment of your “TIME” to share some of my treasures. Do you have a clock fetish, too? Tell me I'm not the only one. I’d love to hear about it.

Hugs,

Patti

We're Linking to the Following Parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time

Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Twice Owned Tuesday @ House of Grace

Club G.W. @ Charm Bracelet Diva

One Project at a Time @ A Bowl Full of Lemons

Anything Goes @ Type A

Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Primp Yourself Wednesday @ Primp