Metalwork in the 18th Century: Craft, Style and Function

268 products

268 products
Bronze mask of a Satyr Fountain Head with curled horns and detailed face, Italian, patinated bronze, circa 1800.
Bronze mask of a Satyr Fountain Head with curled horns and detailed facial features, patinated bronze, Italy circa 1800.
Bronze mask of a Satyr Fountain Head
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Pair Of Bronze Cherubs On Marble Bases, 18th-century Flemish sculptures of cherubs with musical and oyster shell details.
A Pair Of Bronze Cherubs On Marble Bases, 18th-century Flemish sculptures of cherubs with instrument and oyster shell.
A Pair Of Bronze Cherubs On Marble Bases
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Bronze Orientalist Candelabra by Charles Cumberworth
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of 19th-century bronze and gilt classical vases with Greek male figures, offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques.
Pair of Bronze and Gilt Classical Vases By Barbedienne
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of bronze cherub groups playing with a monkey and dog, holding garlands and feeding grapes, circa 1700.
Pair of bronze cherub groups depicting cherubs playing with a dog and monkey, holding garlands and grapes.
Pair of bronze cherub groups
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror with ornate scrolls and anthemion design, circa 1750, 94x61 cm.
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror with ornate scrolls and candle holder, circa 1750, finely beveled mirror plate.
Rare Italian Gilt Bronze Metal Girandole Mirror
Collection TH30
Empire Gilt Bronze Torchere Candle Stand with fluted column, foliate details, and paw feet, circa 1850 French design.
Empire Gilt Bronze Torchere Candle Stand with fluted column and hairy paw feet, classic French design circa 1850 next to wooden chest.
Empire Gilt Bronze Torchere Candle Stand
Collection CK40
Bronze Empire Column Lamps pair with finely chased gilt bronze details, 19th century French design, 63 cm height.
Bronze Empire Column Lamps featuring finely chased gilt bronze details, 19th century, wired for electricity, 63 cm height.
Bronze Empire Column Lamps
Collection CK40
Rare early 19th-century Mughal rosewood and brass jewellery casket with mirror and velvet lining by Collection CK20
Rare early 19th-century Mughal rosewood jewellery casket with brass inlay and mirrors by Collection CK20.
RARE EARLY 19TH CENTURY MUGHAL EMPEROR AKBAR SHAH II ROSEWOOD & BRASS INLAID FITTED TRAVELLING JEWELLERY CASKET
Collection CK20
Large French champlevé enamel and gilt bronze centerpiece bowl on white onyx by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1900
Close-up of a French champlevé enamel and gilt bronze centerpiece bowl by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1900
French Champleve Enamel Bronze Centerpiece Bowl
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Early 19th century gilt bronze mantel clock with Cupid and Psyche by Nicholas Wells Antiques, France circa 1820
Early 19th century gilt bronze mantel clock with Cupid and Psyche figures by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Early 19th century Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock – Cupid and Psyche
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Mid 18th century shagreen apothecary case with six glass bottles by Nicholas Wells Antiques from Rome circa 1750
Mid 18th Century Shagreen & Silver Travelling Apothecary Case
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alabastro Stalactite Gilt Bronze Mounted Pedestal Column in reddish marble with gold bronze detailing for display use.
Alabastro Stalactite Gilt Bronze Mounted Pedestal Column with intricate stone top for displaying antiques and decorative objects.
Alabastro Stalactite Gilt Bronze Mounted Pedestal Column
Collection CK40
A pair of 17th century Italian gilt bronze baroque picture frames by Nicholas Wells Antiques with ornate scroll details
A pair of 17th Century Gilt Bronze picture frames
Nicholas Wells Antiques
German early 20th century solid silver hawk sculpture with glass eyes on wooden perch by Collection CK20.
German early 20th century solid silver perched hawk sculpture by Collection CK20 with glass eyes on wooden post
German Early 20th Century Solid Silver Perched Hawk
Collection CK20
18th century bronze field gun with wooden carriage and iron mounts by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Bronze Field Gun | Antique | 18th Century
Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th-century gilt bronze Ottoman mantle clock with seated lady, floral and pagoda details by Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th-century gilt bronze Ottoman mantle clock featuring a seated lady, from Nicholas Wells Antiques.
A Gilt Bronze Ottoman Mantle Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Bronze Oval Centre Table with polished Alabastro Fiorito top and gilt bronze oval base, Art Deco style, France circa 1930.
Bronze Oval Centre Table with polished bookmatched Alabastro Fiorito top and gilt patinated bronze base, Art Deco style.
Bronze Oval Centre Table
Collection CK40
Large-scale French circular brass lantern with glass panels and candle-style lights by Collection TH10
Large-scale French circular brass lantern with glass panels and candle-style lights by Collection TH10
Large-scale French Circular Brass Lantern
Collection TH10
Brass Chrome Vintage Table Lamp possibly by Romeo Rega with geometric design and white rectangular shade, circa 1975, 83cm tall.
Brass Chrome Vintage Table Lamp – Possibly by Romeo Rega with geometric design and white square shade, circa 1975, height 83cm.
Brass Chrome Vintage Table Lamp – Possibly by Romeo Rega
Collection TH30
Bronze Hippo Antique Sculpture on carved giltwood gadrooned marble base, European circa 1900, 21x36x23 cm size.
Bronze Hippo Antique Sculpture on marble base with carved giltwood edges, European, circa 1900, 21x36x23 cm.
Bronze Hippo Antique Sculpture
Collection CK40
Antique Bronze Statue of Zeus riding an Eagle, 19th century French sculpture, 40cm tall on decorative base.
Antique Bronze Statue of Zeus riding an Eagle, detailed 19th-century bronze sculpture of Zeus with textured hair and beard.
Antique Bronze Statue of Zeus riding an Eagle
Collection CK40
Pair Of Neo Egyptian Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with female caryatid figures and lion mask nozzles, circa 1820.
Pair Of Neo Egyptian Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with caryatid figures and lion mask handles, circa 1820, France.
Pair Of Neo Egyptian Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Collection CK40
Tulwar with silver plated iron hilt
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Brass Column Lamps with ornate bases, one with a black pleated lampshade, vintage elegant design.
Pair of Brass Column Lamps with ornate bases and exposed wiring detail viewed from the bottom side angle.
Pair of Brass Column Lamps
Collection CK40
Grand Tour bronze vase with classical reliefs and fluted handles from Collection CK20, circa 1820 Italy craftsmanship
Grand Tour bronze vase after the antique with exquisite relief and classical motifs by Collection CK20, circa 1820 Italy.
Grand Tour Bronze Vase After The Antique
Collection CK20
Pair of Bronze and Ormolu Candlesticks
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Maison Jansen Black Lacquer and Brass Low Table with bamboo frame and Chinese scene lacquer top, circa 1960.
Maison Jansen Black Lacquer and Brass Low Table with cast brass frame and traditional Chinese scene lacquer top
Maison Jansen Black Lacquer and Brass Low Table
Collection EE40
Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps with Corinthian columns and lion paw feet, circa 1840.
Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps showing detailed bronze base with lion mask paw feet and internal oil pump mechanism.
Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps
Collection CK40
19th-century French Japonism bronze vase with floral details on bronze dish by Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th-century Japonism bronze vase with floral swags and gilt details on dish by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Japonism French Bronze mounted Vase and Dish
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Early 18th Century George I Mahogany Silver Table with tray top, drawer, slender cabriole legs, and pad feet circa 1720 England.
Early 18th Century George I Mahogany Silver Table drawer detail showing wood grain and metal hinge.
Early 18th Century George I Mahogany Silver Table
ANTIQUES
Pair of Genet & Michon Bronze Table Lamps with white shades, French Art Deco style, circa 1930, gilded bronze design.
Pair of Genet et Michon Bronze Table Lamps, Art Deco French patinated and gilded bronze, circa 1930, 33 cm high.
Genet & Michon Pair Bronze Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair Of Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass End Tables with two black shelves, Italy circa 1975, modern vintage design.
Pair Of Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass End Tables signed detail on the sleek chrome frame circa 1975 Italy.
Pair Of Willy Rizzo Chrome and Brass End Tables
Collection TH20
Japanese bronze stag sculpture from the Showa period by Collection TH10, showcasing refined mid-20th-century craftsmanship
Japanese bronze sculpture of a stag from the Showa period by Collection TH10 with fine patinated finish
A Japanese bronze model of a Stag
Collection TH10
Gilt Bronze and Rosso Francia Marble Candelabra with six lights on ornate gilt-bronze arms, 19th-century French design.
Gilt Bronze and Rosso Francia Marble Candelabra close-up showing detailed gilt bronze decorative elements.
Gilt Bronze and Rosso Francia Marble Candelabra
Collection CK40
Discobolus After Myron Bronze After the Antique, 19th century bronze sculpture depicting a discus thrower.
Discobolus After Myron Bronze After the Antique depicts a dynamic ancient Greek discus thrower sculpture.
Discobolus After Myron | Bronze After the Antique
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Three-Light Silver Plate & Bubble Glass Candelabra
Collection NI10
Pair Of Large Silvered Column Lamps, Neo Renaissance silver plate design, circa 1880, England, 53cm tall with lampshade.
Pair Of Large Silvered Column Lamps Neo Renaissance silver plate design with intricate grotesque details and cream lampshade.
Pair Of Large Silvered Column Lamps
Collection CK40
Dionysus – “Narcissus” 19th Century Bronze Statue with black-brown patina, depicting Narcissus in classical pose.
Dionysus – “Narcissus” 19th Century Bronze Statue of a male figure with black-brown patina and detailed curls.
Dionysus – “Narcissus” 19th Century Bronze Statue
Collection CK40
Pair of Charles X cut glass and gilt bronze vases with swan neck handles from Collection CK20 circa 1825 France
Close-up of Charles X crystal vase with ornate gilt bronze swan handle from Collection CK20
Pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases
Collection CK20

The 18th century marked a period of flourishing artistic and industrial production in Europe, particularly across Britain and France. Metalwork played a vital role in both everyday domestic life and high-style decoration. Craftsmen worked across disciplines to create objects that were not only utilitarian but often rich in ornament and symbolism. The following overview categorises types of metalwork by purpose, detailing their materials, techniques and stylistic characteristics.

Domestic Metalwork

Silversmithing

  • Primary medium for luxury household goods such as tea services, flatware and candlesticks.
  • Often produced in sterling silver, alloyed with copper for strength.
  • Decorative techniques included repoussé, chasing, engraving, and pierced work.
  • Georgian silver favoured Rococo flourishes early in the century, shifting to Neoclassical symmetry by the 1770s.

Pewterware

  • More affordable than silver, pewter was used for tankards, plates and basins.
  • Typically cast and turned on a lathe; decoration remained minimal or folk-inspired.

Toleware

  • Tin-plated and painted domestic items like trays and storage boxes.
  • Widely popular in rural and middle-class households; often decorated with floral motifs.

Copper and Tinwork

  • Used for cookware, kettles and lanterns.
  • Less ornate, more functional; often replaced with cast iron in the later century.

Architectural and Decorative Metalwork

Wrought Iron

  • Essential in gates, balconies, stair rails and fire screens.
  • Blacksmiths crafted Rococo scrollwork early on, later favouring cleaner Neoclassical lines.
  • Often painted or gilded to coordinate with interior design schemes.

Ormolu (Gilt Bronze)

  • Created by fusing powdered gold to bronze via mercury gilding—a complex and toxic process.
  • Used in furniture mounts, clock cases, and candelabra, especially in French decorative arts.
  • Highly refined and richly detailed, particularly in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles.

Brass and Bronze

  • Brass used for fittings, handles, locks and hinges; also popular in instruments and timepieces.
  • Bronze suited for sculpture and decorative embellishments in furniture and mantelpieces.

 Personal and Ceremonial Metalwork

Goldsmithing

  • Reserved for fine jewellery, watches, and high-value religious objects.
  • Techniques included filigree, enamelling, gem setting and chasing.
  • Frequently commissioned by aristocrats and members of the clergy.

Jewellery and Enamelwork

  • Included portrait miniatures in lockets and brooches.
  • Coloured enamels adorned rings, pendants and watch dials.
  • Designs reflected court fashion, sentimental motifs and classical references.

⚗️ Scientific and Industrial Applications

Brass Instruments

  • Precision instruments for navigation, astronomy and medicine.
  • Produced by specialist metalworkers using engraving and turning techniques.

Cast Iron (late century)

  • Early cast iron emerged in the later 1700s for stoves, grates and architectural supports.
  • Paved the way for industrial expansion in the 19th century.

The breadth of metalwork in the 18th century reflects a society in aesthetic transition—from the ornate expressiveness of Rococo to the ordered rationality of Neoclassicism. Whether crafted for royal courts or country homes, metal objects offered enduring utility and visual sophistication, bridging art, science and industry.
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