In 19th-century France, it was all the fashion to use the ormolu method of gilding to manufacture mounted objects like clocks, candelabra, chandeliers, etc. Though this technique was used throughout Europe and Eurasia - having originated from the latter region in antiquity - the mountings specifically attained their highest form of artistic and technical development in France during the mid-19th century. This was not to last, however, as the technique quickly lost favor owing to the burgeoning understanding of the health risks around mercury and its use.