A rare Meissen porcelain and ormolu centrepiece, circa 1890, the intricate centrepiece, modelled with various exotic birds perched on porcelain and ormolu branches, emanating three sconces, all mounted on a shaped ormolu base, raised on four bracket feet. Crossed swords mark to verso. 47 cm high, 43 cm wide, 29 cm deep
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- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
- 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.
- Verso - Verso is the "back" side of a sheet of paper, art work, coin or medal. The front side is "recto".
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