Briarwood refers to the burl of the Erica arborea shrub, native to East Africa and the Mediterranean.  It is a hard, dense wood with intricate swirling grain and fine texture.  It was favored as a veneer of unique quality in antique furniture making.

 

Bronze d'oré, also known as ormolu or gilt bronze, was a decorative finish used on luxury furnishings in the 18th and 19th centuries. An application of finely ground high carat gold and mercury amalgam was placed on objects of bronze. When subjected to extremely high heat, the mercury evaporated, leaving behind a lustrous coating of gold.

Gilt-bronze mounts were used to protect furniture from damage and to emphasize form, and to mount beautiful objects such as clocks and candelabra, pedestals and porcelain vases, to mention a few uses.