Ormolu, also known as ground gold, is a gold-like coating applied to an object. Historically, this referred to a dangerous process known as mercury gilding that was used to coat bronze or brass items. Ormolu is a modern term for any gilded object, though true pieces are uncommon.
The royal and noble classes of Europe, particularly in France and England, embraced the Baroque and Rococo design styles in the early 18th century. Rococo design, in particular, is known for its intricate ornamentation, which has led some critics to label it as “baroque gone insane.” Unlike earlier design styles, where ornamentation was seen as an afterthought, Rococo flipped the script, requiring architecture to conform to whimsical, asymmetrical, and highly decorated design. The movement’s adoration for extremely detailed gold or gilded decorations was one of its pillars.
Due to the scarcity of gold lead and the popularity of Rococo in France, gold hybrids were created, most notably by mixing gold with mercury paste. The word gilding comes from the French word molu, which means “mashed gold.” Ormolu became extremely popular throughout Europe to compensate for the lack of readily available gold sources.
Ormolu was created using a method that was extremely hazardous. The gold-mercury mix was applied to a brass or bronze mount, then heated until the mercury vaporized, to mercury gild, or fire guild, an object. The gilding would cool, leaving only the gold firmly affixed to the mount. Unfortunately, inhaling mercury fumes is extremely toxic, and most ormolu craftspeople die before they reach the age of 40.
One of the most well-known French designers who used the technique was Jacques Caffieri. Caffieri, who was already well-known as a bronze sculptor, embraced the new style with incredible success. He did a lot of work for Louis XV and the royal family. A toilet built for the king’s Versailles bedchamber is one of his most well-known ormolu pieces. Caffieri’s wife obtained a royal permit in 1740 that allowed them to gild and cast bronze in the same workshop, greatly expanding their capabilities.
Ormolu was used on furniture and sculptures throughout France and much of Europe. As Rococo styles gave way to the more straightforward Neoclassical style, the popularity of the style plummeted. By 1830, the poisonous methods of creating gilt had fallen out of favor due to changing fashions and the dangers of the process. Throughout the next two centuries, gilding’s popularity waned and waned, but other, safer ways to achieve the desired gold coating were developed.
True ormolu is now extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors. Authentic pieces in displays of 17th-18th century style and design can be found in museums all over the world. Although the mercury firing is beautiful to look at when well preserved, it is difficult to ignore the deaths caused by the process and the ignorance that allowed it to continue for over a century.