Henri Picard was a 19th-century gilder who is said to have graced Paris with his stunning furniture and decor from 1831 to 1864. His bronze pieces included exquisitely detailed candelabras, ornate clocks and sculptural table lamps.
Each item cast and gilded by the talented Picard represented the marriage of function and beauty and is a notable example of Napoleon III-style design. Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons.
Picard was particularly known for his artistry — his body of work includes expertly cast gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts for a range of porcelain vessels produced by Sèvres, a maker of exemplary European ceramics for hundreds of years. Picard collaborated with many designers of his day and worked for a firm called Defreville. And while Picard received numerous commissions, his most notable was designing decorative objects for Napoleon III. The pieces are still displayed at the Napoleon III Apartments in the Louvre Museum, Paris.
Picard also designed mantel clocks for the prestigious French clock-making company Raingo Frères. The manufacturer’s clocks are also on display in the Napoleon III Apartments.
On 1stDibs, find antique Henri Picard decorative objects, lighting, case pieces and more.
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
$42,029 / set
H 8.08 in W 25.2 in D 14.57 in
H. Picard, Pair of "Cupids" Jardinieres, France, circa 1860
By Henri Picard
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed H. Picard Fine pair of oval jardinieres in chiselled and gilded bronze, with inner liners. They are adorned in relief and enhanced by a subtle interplay of burnished and matt...
Bronze
G. Denière, "Pendule à cage", France, circa 1860
By Henri Picard, Guillaume Denière
Located in PARIS, FR
Large and rare Louis XVI style cage clock in chiseled and gilded bronze, rectangular in shape, highlighted with friezes of water leaves and pearls, with glass panels decorated with t...
Bronze
$78,055 / set
H 32.68 in Dm 25.79 in
Pair of Neo-Pompeian Gueridons Malachite top , by H. Picard, France, c. 1865
By Henri Picard
Located in PARIS, FR
A similar model was exhibited at the 1889 Paris Universal Exhibition. Rare pair of round table made of patinated and gilded bronze with a top veneered with malachite and circled with bronze mounts adorned with ovum and beads. They stands on three patinated bronze feet with lion heads and paws, linked with gilded bronze X braces. Related Works: The feet of these gueridons adopt a sleek design and are adorned with claws and lion heads. Inspired by a well-known model in the Barbedienne Company production and it has been reused many times by his workshop. These gueridons shows how the Barbedienne Company offered a range of furniture from the designs of its decorator Louis-Constant Sévin. He designed this model of gueridon few time after he joined the Barbedienne Company in 1855 and this model can be seen on different interior decorations of the Second Empire. A tripod gueridon with feet like these ones can be seen on a picture showing the cold room of the Pompeiian house built for Prince Napoleon. (see picture attached, photograph by Laplanche J et Cie, between 1860-1866, Musée Carnavalet, Paris, PH15305). Most of the Ancient style furniture was made by Charles Rossigneux (1818-1908) but this gueridon shows that the Barbedienne Company took also part to this work. Biography: Henri Picard was established in Paris, 6 rue Jarente from 1831 to 1839 and then 10 rue de la Perle from 1840 to 1864. He worked on the Emperor Napoleon III’s apartments gilding at the Louvre Palace. His production was in a rich and fine style, like a Japanese style inkwell, or his Pompeian style dining table centerpieces...
Malachite, Bronze
$16,553
H 23.23 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
Antique French Napoleon III Style Gold Ormolu Cut Glass Centrepiece Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Antique French Napoleon III Style Gold Ormolu Cut Glass Centrepiece Henri Picard French, 19th Century Height 59cm, width 45cm, depth 23cm A stunning example of 19th century French d...
Ormolu
$158,636 / set
H 71 in W 45.5 in D 14 in
Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Display Cabinets by Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
A remarkable pair of display cabinets By Henri Picard of Paris Constructed in mahogany, with extensive and superlative ormolu decoration. The cabinets of rectangular form, rising from turned and tapering toupie feet supporting an inverted breakfront lower tier, the shaped aprons housing three lockable drawers and incorporating gilt bronze mounts in the manner of Riesener. The square tapering legs decorated in conforming ormolu of the highest quality, and flanking a central cartouche depicting a lyre. The central vitrine lockable doors enclosing shelved mirrored...
Ormolu, Bronze
$7,200 / set
H 16.5 in W 7.25 in D 6 in
pair of French 19th century Ormolu and Bronze candlesticks, by Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Ormolu and patinated Bronze candlesticks, signed Henri Picard. This impressive pair of candlesticks are ra...
Bronze, Ormolu
$9,500 / set
H 18 in W 7 in D 7 in
Henri Picard Signed Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Candelabra Pair
By Henri Picard
Located in Forney, TX
A truly unique pair of Napoleon III Second Empire Period (1852-1870) Neo-Etruscan style gilt bronze table candelabras by the prestigious 19th century fondeur and doreur Henri Picard ...
Brass, Bronze
$62,075 / set
H 27.96 in W 18.12 in D 10.63 in
Napoleon III Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze clock set by Picard French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 72cm, width 46cm, depth 27cm Candelabra: Height 78...
Malachite, Ormolu