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

268 products

268 products
Set of four Louis XIV style bronze four light wall appliques by Collection TH10 with ornate baroque design
Set of two Louis XIV style bronze four light wall appliques from Collection TH10 with intricate baroque detailing
Set of Four Louis XIV style 20th century bronze four light wall appliques
Collection TH10
19th-century Lord Byron gilt bronze mantel clock with Roman numerals by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Lord Byron gilt bronze figure detail from Napoleon III mantel clock by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Lord Byron Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Mid Century Metamorphic Brass Coffee Table with circular smoked glass tops and burnished brass frame on casters.
Mid Century Metamorphic Brass Coffee Table with burnished brass frame, smoked glass tops, and rolling second tier extension.
Mid Century Metamorphic Brass Coffee Table
Collection TH20
Collection EE20 of nine 19th century Indian teak rice measures with brass bindings and ribbed turned bodies
Close-up of 19th century brass bound teak rice measure from Collection EE20 with intricate ribbed design and detailed mounts
Collection of 9 brass bound rice measures
Collection EE20
Fine porcelain ormolu mantel clock with courting couple scenes by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1880 France
A Fine Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Mantel Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Three Tiered Brass Art Deco Etagere with glass shelves and decorative ring column supports circa 1930.
A Three Tiered Brass Art Deco Etagere with glass shelves and decorative ring supports, circa 1930, French design.
A Three Tiered Brass Art Deco Etagere
Collection TH30
William Cafe George II Cast Silver Candlesticks
Collection CK10
Mid Century Onyx, Verde Antico, Brass Coffee Table with rare Italian onyx top and brass legs, circa 1935.
Mid Century Onyx, Verde Antico, Brass Coffee Table
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair Of French Gilt Bronze And Tole Antique Gold Column Table Lamps with black shade and detailed gold column bases.
Pair Of French Gilt Bronze And Tole Antique Gold Column Table Lamps with black shade, Art Deco style circa 1930 France.
Pair Of French Gilt Bronze And Tole Antique Gold Column Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
18th century bronze prow of South Indian ‘Luang’ river ship, antique maritime artifact by Collection EE20
18th Century Bronze Prow Of A South Indian ‘Luang’ River Ship
Collection EE20
Grand Tour Bronze Recumbent Mastiff Dog sculpture on Siena marble plinth, 19th century French antique artwork.
Grand Tour Bronze Recumbent Mastiff Dog sculpture lying down on a Siena marble plinth circa 1830.
Grand Tour Bronze Recumbent Mastiff Dog
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Massive Cast Iron Scallop Shell Attributed To The Val D’Osne Foundry
Collection TH10
Grand Tour Equestrian Bronze sculpture showing a rearing horse evading a striking snake on a marble base.
Grand Tour Equestrian Bronze sculpture of a rearing horse confronting a striking snake, symbolizing good versus evil.
Grand Tour Equestrian Bronze
Collection CK40
Rare Pair of 17th Century Bronze Candlesticks
Collection EE10
Renaissance style silver and lapis lazuli casket with lion finial by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1850
Renaissance style silver and lapis lazuli casket with lion finial by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1850
Renaissance Style Silver and Lapis Lazuli Casket
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Baccarat Harcourt Glass and Gilt Bronze Champagne Cooler
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of 19th century wrought iron citrus tree tubs / planters
Collection EE10
Silver centrepiece by T. Bradbury & Sons
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Important antique Sindh bronze pot mounted as a table lamp, 19th century, large scale, 60 cm height, 50 cm diameter.
Important antique Sindh bronze pot mounted as a table lamp with detailed craftsmanship and aged patina from the 19th century.
Important antique Sindh bronze pot mounted as a table lamp
Collection EE20
Decorative Indian silver flask with raised intricate patterns on a gilt ground.
An Exceptional Indian Kutch Silver gilt Répoussé Flask
Collection ON10
Pair of Louis XV style four-light ormolu candelabra with intricate design by Collection NI10 luxury decor
Pair of ornate Louis XV style four-light ormolu candelabra by Collection NI10 with intricate baroque detailing
Pair of Louis XV Style Four-Light Ormolu Candelabra
Collection NI10
Pair of 19th Century Louis XV Ormolu Candlesticks
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Polished and cut steel fire iron stand
Collection TH10
Two Cast Iron classical Dolphin Wall Fountains and shells
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Mid Century Marquetry and Polished Brass Bar Cart Drinks Trolley
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Mid 20th Century Brass Mounted Drinks Cart
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Vintage Column Table Lamps – Gunmetal & Brass – Maison Charles elegant pair with stepped circular plinths circa 1970
Vintage Column Table Lamps – Gunmetal & Brass – Maison Charles, elegant 1970s design on stepped circular plinths.
Vintage Column Table Lamps – Gunmetal & Brass – Maison Charles
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Neo Classical Candlestick Table Lamps with white marble bases, circa 1880, 30 cm tall.
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Neo Classical Candlestick Table Lamps with white marble bases and gilt bead borders.
Pair of French Gilt Bronze Neo Classical Candlestick Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Italian 1980s brass hat stand
Collection TH10
French Mid Century Polished Brass Circular Bar Cart Drinks Trolley
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Bronze Figure of Asclepius showing Greek god with staff and serpent, antique bronze sculpture circa 1850, Italy.
Bronze Figure of Asclepius showing Greek god holding a staff with snake, draped in robes, antique bronze sculpture.
Bronze Figure of Asclepius
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A William IV bronze gothic column lamp with crown capital and medieval-style figures on a decorated triangular plinth.
A William IV bronze gothic column lamp with intricate medieval-style figures and decorative gothic niches.
A William IV bronze gothic column lamp
Collection TH30
Chinese silver gilt, jade, and enamel pagoda temple casket by Nicholas Wells Antiques, 20th century, intricate design, 18 cm tall
Chinese silver gilt, jade and enamel pagoda temple casket
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Mid Century Bronze Three Branch Candelabra
Collection EE10
Victorian Polished Cast Iron Hall Umbrella Stand
Collection TH10
Pair of 19th century weighted hairy paw brass door porters from Collection TH10 with ornate Victorian design
Pair of 19th century weighted brass door porters by Collection TH10 with intricate Victorian design and functional detail
Pair of 19th century weighted hairy paw brass door porters
Collection TH10
Pair of Dark Bronze Empire Column Lamps After The Antique AJX with intricate classical design and fluted column details
Pair of Dark Bronze Empire Column Lamps After The Antique AJX with intricate carved leaf details on column base
Pair of Dark Bronze Empire Column Lamps After The Antique AJX
The Neo Classical Lamp Company
Pair of Neo-Classical Bronze Urn Lamps with leaf decoration and lacquered brass handles, circa 1970, England, 29 inches tall.
Pair of Neo-Classical Bronze Urn Lamps with lacquered brass handles and reeded body, England circa 1970, tall beige shade
Pair of Neo-Classical Bronze Urn Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A pair of mid century silver plate wall appliques in the manner of Jansen
Collection TH10
A Very Fine 19th Century Indian Large Brass Chest
Collection EE20

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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