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.
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
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
$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
$8,183
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
Centerpiece, Calamine, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Centerpiece. calamine. France, 19th century. Patinated calamine centerpiece with legs and a complex decoration based on plant and architectural elements that draw curves and counte...
Other
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
19th Century French Baccarat Ormolu Mounted Crystal Centerpiece
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A Marvelous 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Baccarat Ormolu Mounted Crystal Centerpiece with Crystal Columns and Lions Paw Feet. The Bronze is marv...
Crystal, 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
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
$8,894Sale Price|20% Off
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
$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
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