A Louis XV style ormolu cartel clock, French, late 19th century, the enamelled and gilt metal Roman numeral dial and count wheel bell striking movement within an asymmetrical foliate case with panels of mesh over sea green silk, 20.47 in. high, 13.39 in. wide
- Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.
- Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
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