Relevant categories: Bronzes
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At Canonbury Antiques we carry a wide range of ormolu candelabras.
Ormolu is a gold-colored alloy of copper, zinc, and sometimes tin, cast into desired shapes and often gilded, used especially in the 18th century for decorating furniture and making ornaments. Much like casting in bronze, the famous artists of the time would create mounts, objects, statues and candelabras by casting the metal into their desired shapes and styles. In England, the process would often be called gilding and the items gilt. Craftsmen would typically use ormolu for the decorative mounting of furniture, clocks, lights and porcelain pieces such as urns or vases. For fixtures on furniture the gilders would make handles, sabots, table trims and elegant decorations such as maiden leg mounts or other classical figures.
Photo: Classic pair of large ormolu candelabras in the Matthew Boulton manner
Many of these ormolu candelabras are on display in our Canonbury Antiques Hertfordshire showroom so please get in touch for an appointment. Perhaps our favourite source for these pieces are the antiques markets in Paris and hence the bulk of our range would be French candelabras of various styles and sizes, including Empire, Louis XVI, rococo and baroque styles. The classic subject would often be a pair of male or female figurines, typically a left and right, alongside other subjects like cherubs, classical figures, blackamoors, maidens or just a classic column with the candelabra branches spouting out of the main body. Again, after years in the business we have lots of sources around the world so ir you are looking for something on the website and you cannot find it please get in touch and we can source it for you. We also work closely with interior designers and offer good trade discounts, particularly for large refurbishment projects.
Photo: Pair French Empire ormolu candelabras sprouting out of the marble urns
Of course, these ormolu candelabras were originally designed - in those halycon pre-electric days - for holding aloft wax candles to offer light in the night. Again, they can be used in this fashion still today and look particularly charming on a wide console table or as part of an elegant dining table set up. Also, if you require real electric light we can get them converted for light bulbs, just let us know. One of our favourite pieces are our range of Gregoire candelabra lights which look a bit like the Statue of Liberty and omit a great light. We also carry some larger candelabras or lights of an architectural quality which can live outside, of course being ormolu and bronze they will not rust (just make sure they are secured down for security purposes).
Photo: Classic ormolu candlesticks on eye catching malachite base
One of the main things we look for when sourcing our bronzes and ormolu candelabras is the quality of the casting - to tell you must look at intricate details like hands, feet and facial features to see how well they have been cast. Maybe even use a magnifying glass to examine these parts to see how fine the piece has been cast. It goes without saying if you are looking for pieces to match your candelabra, such as a console or dining table to proudly display them on then we can also obviously help.
Photo: Classic French antique gilt candelabras with cherubs
We have been in business since 1966 and our large Hertfordshire showroom is open to the public and along side ormolu candelabras we also specialise in art deco furniture, antique dining sets, continental antiques, porcelain, bronzes, architectural goods and all things interiors. Please let us know if you would like to view anything you have seen on the website and we can arrange an appointment.
Please enjoy some videos our gilt candelabras from the Canonbury Antiques YouTube channel:
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