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.
French 19th c. Napoleon III Period Ormolu, Patinated Bronze, & Tole Centerpiece
By Henri Picard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and large scale French 19th century Napoleon III Period Ormolu, patinated Bronze, and tole centerpiece, signed by Henri Picard. This beautiful jardiniere centerpiece is ra...
Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
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
$2,400
H 9.65 in Dm 11.82 in
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Gilt Bronze Putti and Marble Centerpiece
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze putti and marble centerpiece The centerpiece stands on a triangular, fluted base with arched feet; on th...
Marble, Bronze
$2,650 / set
H 8 in Dm 7.5 in
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Crystal, Bronze
$44,000Sale Price|60% Off
H 22 in W 25 in D 13 in
Exquisite Napoleon III French Ormolu Figural Basket Centerpiece, Circa 1880
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An exquisite Napoleon III French ormolu figural basket centerpiece, Circa 1880, Attributed to Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley. Depicting four mercury-gilded bronze ormolu cherubs holding a basket, the base with trophies and scrolling. This monumental centerpiece...
Ormolu
19th Century Gilt Centrepiece with Cut-Glass Insert
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century gilt centrepiece with cut-glass insert. This piece has a makers stamp on the bottom but we can't make out who the maker is. It is most like Austrian or German.
Metal
$32,850
H 6.5 in W 20.75 in D 8.5 in
A Fantastic 19th Century French Baccarat Ormolu and Crystal Centerpiece, Signed
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic, Rare, and Large 19th Century French Baccarat Ormolu and Crystal Centerpiece. The piece consists of two thick and dense crystal...
Crystal, Ormolu
Art Deco Centrepiece Vase Julien Glass France Epergne 1930
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a wonderful period art deco glass and silver plate centerpiece Piece is enscribed 'Julien' in the glass - Julien was a French glass maker working out of Choisy-le-Roi...
Glass
19th, Circular Ormolu Bronze French Centerpiece with Mirror
Located in IT
19th, circular Ormolu bronze French centerpiece with mirror (surtout de table) Diameter cm 75, H 9 cm, 11 cm the highest point (harps) This splendid French centerpiece has a roun...
Bronze
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.25 in W 10.25 in D 9.25 in
Large French 19th Century Patinated Bronze Centerpiece Urn on Marble Base
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French Large 19th Century Patinated Bronze centerpiece Urn on Marble Base. Stunning French 19th century Napoleon III period bronze urn raised on a black marble base. The centerpiece urn has a molded rim on the top. Front and back are decorated with a central classical mask...
Marble, Bronze
Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Sevres Centerpiece
Located in New Orleans, LA
This centerpiece is very beautiful. One side has floral decorative elements and the other, a gentleman bringing a posy of flowers to a lady seated on the ground, while another watche...
Ormolu
$4,299
H 16.93 in Dm 11.03 in
Centrepiece by Maison Baccarat in Crystal and Gilded Bronze, Napoleon III Style.
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Centrepiece by Maison Baccarat in crystal and gilded bronze, Napoleon III style, early 20th century. Centrepiece by Baccarat, Napoleon III style, early 20th century, in crystal and ...
Crystal, Bronze
$20,000
H 7.68 in W 18.12 in D 11.03 in
Charles CHRISTOFLE Napoleon III Silverplate Bronze Centerpiece, 1856
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Napoleon III silverplate bronze centerpiece, 1856 by Charles CHRISTOFLE, France, 1856. Silverplate bronze and frosted crystal. Height: 7.7"(19.5cm), Width: 18.1"(46cm), Depth: 11"(28...
Crystal, Silver Plate, Bronze
$10,324
H 10.83 in W 83.08 in D 13.78 in
BOIN TABURET Silver-plated bronze centerpiece, Napoleon III period
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
A sumptuous piece of goldsmithing, this centerpiece depicts two idealized young women, half-draped, supporting a large shell-shaped basin at arm's length. Their slender bodies intert...
Silver, Bronze
Sold
H 10 in W 16.5 in D 10.5 in
Fine French Rococo Ormolu Bronze Basket Centerpiece with Putti, Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A fine French Rococo ormolu bronze basket centerpiece with Putti, Henri Picard, Paris, circa 1860. Of navette form, reticulated basketweave, foliate h...
Bronze
Sold
H 19 in W 9 in D 9 in
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style, Ormolu and Malachite Trophée, Signed Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French mid 19th century Louis XVI style ormolu and malachite Trophée, signed Picard. With a satin and burnished finished the Trophée is raised on a square reeded base a...
Malachite