Ormolu Music Boxes. The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of mercuric nitrate is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze; followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item is then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury vaporizes and the gold remains, adhering to the metal object. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples of ormolu music boxes including a harp-shaped music box and an ormolu musical automaton clock.
AN EMPIRE PALAIS ROYALE GILT BRONZE AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL HARP FORM JEWEL STAND INCORPORATING A MUSIC BOX Early 19th century The top rail issuing from a rosette, strung with wire and mounted with hooks, ending in a swan over a tapering column, fitted with two pedals marked Joet or Change, on a cusped rectangular plinth concealing musical movement playing two airs, raised on animal paw feet.
Sold for US$ 1,645 (£ 1,271) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2005
A ‘DRUM’-SHAPED ORMOLU MUSICAL AND AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK THE CASE CHINESE, PROBABLY ASSEMBLED EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE MOVEMENT AND DIAL GEORGE III PERIOD (1760-1820), LATE 18TH CENTURY CASE: the Chinese case of cylindrical section, the rounded exterior with openwork ormolu floral mount, the upper section surmounted by a square finial in the form of acanthus leaves centred by a pineapple-form spire, the circular facing surface inserted with the dial, the reverse with a pierced and incised concave cover; all mounted on an ormolu baluster central post flanked on either side with a pair of descending winged-dragon, on stepped circular base, supported by four evenly divided scroll feet, each modelled as an acanthus leaf DIAL: with red and white paste-set bezel and convex glass to painted dial with a rural scene, with two automaton features, and set with a white enamel time dial signed “P. RIMBAULT/LONDON” MUSIC/AUTOMATA: the scene depicting a shepherd leading a line of sheep across an arched bridge over a flowing river where a fisherman is fishing with a line sinking into the water, detailed with a small pierced opening with horizontal spiral-twist glass rods, to simulate a flowing river, set within a forest, the left side with a pierced opening with vertical spiral-twist glass rods, simulating a waterfall MUSICAL AND AUTOMATA MOVEMENT: wound from the rear, playing on a nest of bells with eleven hammers
Sold for HKD 740,000 at Christie’s in 2010
Antique French Leather and Ormolu Music Box
Sold for $50 at World of Antiques, Inc. in 2020
A Louis XVI blue and white jasperware and ormolu-mounted mahogany music box, attributed to Jean-Henri Riesener circa 1785 previously surmounted by a clock, bearing the later plaque inscribed Donné à L’Imperatrice Joséphine par Napoléon 1806.
Sold for 31,250 USD at Sotheby’s in 2014
