Fire gilding has been known since ancient times. A mixture of gold and mercury is rubbed in over a low heat. The result is a dough-like mass that has a significantly lower melting point than gold. The basic material - mostly bronze - is degreased and coated with the gold amalgam. While the mercury evaporates over a fire and the gold is deposited on the metal, it is smoothed - traditionally with a hare's paw.
Since mercury vapors are extremely hazardous to health, this job could not be practiced for long.
Type: Tsarist era, case made of fire-gilded bronze with Sèvres porcelain inlays, dial made of brightly painted Sèvres porcelain (knight's mask) with Roman numerals and pointers in the Louis XV style. Left and right of the dial each 1 knight in armor, 3 Sèvres porcelain inlays in the middle part and in the decorated base (left and right knight shield and knight helmet), crown with 4 Sèvres porcelain inlays with swords, lances and shield, 4 bronze columns in the middle part, 5 decorated bronze feet, front bezel without glass, spring winding. 2 goblets made of fire-gilded bronze with lid, lid with motifs of knight armor (shield, sword and lance), on 4 bronze feet. 1 chalice with a portrait of a king on Sèvres porcelain, the other chalice with a portrait of a queen on Sèvres porcelain. Manufactured at the end of the 18th century.
The base is decorated with butterfly, flower and leaf ornaments (made of fire-gilded bronze) and stands on 4 round bronze feet. The dial is a number ring with Roman numerals in enamel, a disc made of fire-gilded bronze with decorations. Center structure under the dial decorated with flower and leaf ornaments, on the center piece a basket with flowers, on the right a woman figure with a jug in the left hand, on the left a man figure with a laurel wreath in the right hand (looks like an angel, possibly Cupid). Lock disc striking mechanism.
Style: Louis Philippe
Manufactured: 2nd quarter of the 19th century
