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
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 17.75 in Dm 11.75 in
Antique French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Swan Centerpiece Pleated Glass Plateau
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stunning antique French Napoleon III gilt bronze centerpiece on a centralized column and depicting three finely cast swans on a tripodal base. The bowl is pleated and etched glass,...
Bronze
$8,192
H 26 in W 25 in D 17 in
French Silvered Bronze Centrepiece Bowl After Lerolle Fres Napoleon III
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A highly decorative French centrepiece in the Napoleon III taste, this piece is a later recast after a model by the Parisian founders Lerolle Fres, whose original designs were widely...
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
$5,254
H 13 in Dm 13.78 in
A Large 19th Century Sèvres Porcelain Cup and Centrepiece, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A large 19th century Napoleon III period porcelain centrepiece and bowl in the style of the Sèvres manufactory, mounted in gilt bronze. Dimensions : H: 33cm, D: 35cm Contact us befo...
Bronze
$22,500
H 14.77 in W 6.3 in D 13.78 in
18th Century French Hand Painted Porcelain in Gilt-Mount 'Ormolu', Centrepiece
Located in Lantau, HK
Transitional period, late 18th century (circa 1770-1780) This vase embodies a neoclassical shape and a Rococo depiction of flowers, the blue flowers around the neck of the vase first...
Ormolu
$10,852
H 19.69 in W 16.15 in D 13 in
Exceptional Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Onyx Swan Centerpiece Urn, France
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptional French Napoleon III centerpiece urn in gilt and patinated bronze resting on a carved onyx base. Richly decorated with sculptural swans, water lilies, reeds, and cattails,...
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
$18,000
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
This exceptional Napoleon III silverplate bronze centerpiece, crafted in 1856 by the renowned French silversmith Charles Christofle, is a superb example of mid-19th century luxury de...
Crystal, Silver Plate, Bronze
$475Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in Dm 5.52 in
Orange Opaline vase with Cherub Decor - Napoleon III 19th - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Charming vase on foot in opaline glass, painted and gilded. A medallion is drawn in which is represented a cherub wearing a sheet. The pattern is very fine and delicate. For an elega...
Opaline Glass
$1,495
H 4 in Dm 9 in
Wonderful French Neoclassical Bronze Crystal Round Centrepiece Cake Ormolu Stand
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French neoclassical bronze and scalloped etched crystal round centrepiece, cake ormolu stand with star centre.
Crystal, Bronze
$6,000
H 27 in W 10 in D 10 in
Large French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Bronze Ormolu Presentoir Centerpiece
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Large French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Bronze Ormolu Presentoir Centerpiece. High quality French 19th century Louis XVI style bronze ormolu presentoir centerpiece. Raised on th...
Ormolu
$12,750
H 5 in W 17 in D 9.25 in
A Baccarat signed Antique French Ormolu Mounted Cut Crystal Centerpiece, 19th C
Located in New York, NY
A Signed 19th Century Neoclassical French Ormolu Mounted Baccarat Crystal & Dore bronze Double-Handle Centerpiece This centerpiece was produced in France during the 1800s by Baccara...
Crystal, Ormolu
$52,600
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 Large Malachite and Ormolu-Mounted Centerpiece
Located in New York, NY
Very large Louis XVI malachite and ormolu-mounted centerpiece ornate gilt bronze lidded dish with floral leaf motif accentuated and raised with figural lion mounts France, 19th centu...
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
French Late 19th Century Porcelain & Gilt Bronze Centerpiece
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Graceful porcelain and gilt bronze centerpiece made in France in the late 19th century, featuring colorful floral scenes painted on the porcelain, capturing the beauty of nature. Add...
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