What is the ormolu technique?
The ormolu technique is a gilding technique wherein a finely ground high-carat gold-mercury amalgam is applied to a bronze object. The mercury is driven off in a kiln in a process that is sometimes referred to as mercury gilding or fire gilding. This subsequently leaves behind a gold coating. The term comes from the French or moulu, meaning ground or pounded gold. This technique has vastly fallen out of fashion over time as the health risks relating to mercury have come to light.