Antique Belle Époque French Liquor Side Table by Escalier de Cristal, circa 1890

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Antique Belle Époque French Liquor Side Table by Escalier de Cristal, circa 1890

About the Item

This is a very exciting piece of exquisite craftsmanship by the firm of Escalier de Cristal in Paris, probably executed around the turn of the century. The quality of the table is self-evident in the tiny crisp dovetails, finely cast acanthus gilt bronze sabots and pulls, as well as the deep flowing grains selected for all surfaces. It is a designed with a fine eye for movement and activity, the curving of lines seemingly endless in the carcass with it's conforming shelves and the bold cabriole legs. A breche d'Alep stone top contrasts the brilliant polished brass rim and top overlay around the numerous liquor and glass wells inset into the top, making a very practical serving surface and presentation table for fine liquors. Two tiny drawers swing outward from the case over a large single drawer beneath; while the key has since been separated from the case and is no longer available, the lock is quite crafty in that by locking the bottom drawer two pins are pushed upward to lock the twin upper drawers in place as well. The solid mahogany pair of shelves beneath the case are affixed with tiny iron brackets on each leg, the lower shelf deeply branded on the underside with the signature of Escalier de Cristal. An exceptional table and a very uncommon find, particularly in it's outstanding condition and completeness, this is a very fine acquisition for the refined interior. Literature: Le Mobilier Français du XIXe Siécle, Denise Ledoux-Lebard, 1989, p. 189-192 Measurements: 19“ W x 19 1/4“ D x 30 1/16“ H Condition Report: Exceptional condition, original brass top polished and brilliant; slight gap between edge of breche d'alep and brass. One liquor well with a replaced bottom. Verdigris oxidization to bronze sabots. No key. Minor surface scuffs, though all surfaces are vibrant and well preserved overall. A very fine piece.

Creator:
L'Escalier de Cristal (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 30.07 in (76.38 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 19.25 in (48.9 cm)
Style:
Belle Époque (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Bronze,Mahogany,Oak
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890-1910
Condition:
Replacements made: One liquor well with a replaced bottom. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 509KVP12 | Silla, ltd.1stDibs: LU1059018653442

Shop All L'Escalier de Cristal

L'Escalier de Cristal

Dating back to the Bourbon Restoration in France and the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, l’Escalier de Cristal (the Crystal Staircase) was founded by Madame Veuve Désarnaud as the first company to offer decorative objects made from crystal and gilded bronze. The firm was located in the Palais Royal in Paris, opposite the Louvre. It grew through a series of owners to become the gold standard for reproductions of 18th-century furniture — so perfect they were often mistaken for originals.

Désarnaud won numerous awards for her creations, including a gold medal at the 1819 Paris Exposition des Produits de l’Industrie Française for a dressing table featuring her signature bronze-crystal combination. A tailor named Boin bought the company around 1830; he in turn sold it to Pierre-Isidore Lahoche in 1840. Lahoche’s son-in-law, Émile Pannier, joined in a partnership in 1952 before Émile’s sons took over in 1885, establishing Pannier Frères. The company ceased commercial production in 1923.

Starting as early as the 1860s, there was a growing appetite for Japanese-style furniture, thanks in large part to the Japanese pavilion at the International Exposition of 1867. Henry Pannier reimagined some of the company’s designs to meet this new demand. The stylized furniture was a huge success and earned the company many awards, including the gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Others who contributed to this stylistic trend included French artist Émile Gallé, French glassmaker and ceramicist François-Eugène Rousseau, French furniture designer Louis Majorelle and French cabinetmaker Gabriel Viardot.

Henry Pannier made a constant effort to sketch each object the company sold and record it in his notebooks. Over 50 years, he recorded 2,800 furniture designs, each with its own name, date of sale and price. On some pieces, l’Escalier de Cristal signed the models, adding a layer of authenticity and distinction for today’s collectors.

Museums around the world have collected pieces from l’Escalier de Cristal, including the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of l’Escalier de Cristal decorative objects, vases, desk accessories and more.