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.
Dinner plate L'Escalier de Cristal, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting the "Grands Oiseaux" plates, an exquisite piece from the renowned Escalier de Cristal, the definitive tableware store of the 19th century. This hand-painted plate delicat...
Ceramic
L'Escalier de Cristal's Plate, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By L'Escalier de Cristal, Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting the "Grands Oiseaux" plates, an exquisite piece from the renowned Escalier de Cristal, the definitive tableware store of the 19th century. This hand-painted plate delicat...
Ceramic
Dinner plate for L'Escalier de Cristal, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting the "Grands Oiseaux" plates, an exquisite piece from the renowned Escalier de Cristal, the definitive tableware store of the 19th century. This hand-painted plate delicat...
Ceramic
"Escalier de Cristal" Dinner plate 19th from famous service "Grands Oiseaux"
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting the "Grands Oiseaux" plates, an exquisite piece from the most world world well-knowned Escalier de Cristal, the definitive tableware store of the 19th century. This hand...
Ceramic
Plate L'Escalier de Cristal, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting the "Grands Oiseaux" plates, an exquisite piece from the renowned Escalier de Cristal, the definitive tableware store of the 19th century. This hand-painted plate delicat...
Ceramic
Japonisme Style Porcelaine Planter Signed L'Escalier de Cristal 19th C
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Exquisite square planter in the Japonisme style. The whole planter is structured on bamboo-style edges. Each face is decorated with flowers and leaves on a vivid blue background/ Ea...
Porcelain
Footed bowl Choisy-le-Roi for L'Escalier de Cristal, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By L'Escalier de Cristal, Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting the "Grands Oiseaux" footed bowl, an exquisite piece from the renowned Escalier de Cristal, the definitive tableware store of the 19th century. This elegant bowl showcases a delicate hand-painted pheasant...
Ceramic
Plate L'Escalier de Cristal, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Presenting the "Grands Oiseaux" plate, an exquisite piece from the renowned Escalier de Cristal, the definitive tableware store of the 19th century. This hand-painted plate delicate...
Ceramic
Serving Dish Choisy-le-Roi for L'Escalier de Cristal, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Introducing the "Grands Oiseaux" footed plate, an elegant piece hailing from the iconic Escalier de Cristal, the premier tableware store of the 19th century. This exquisite plate fe...
Ceramic
19th Century Set of Mason's Plates
By Mason's Ironstone
Located in High Point, NC
19th century set of four English ironstone plates, signed Mason's over a crown and banner. The plates are transfer decorated in a pattern of florals ...
Ironstone
$474
H 3.94 in W 7.09 in D 4.34 in
Late 19th Century Sardine Serving Dish - Hand Painted Glass and Silver Plated
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique dish for serving sardines. Made of silver-plated metal and glass. The glass has a bright blue color and is beautifully painted with sea / fish motifs. Probable or...
Silver Plate
Monkeys Porcelain Dinner Plate by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans
By Vito Nesta
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Contemporary dinner plate 'Monkeys' designed by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans, a magical trip in an Ottoman world made of exotic animals and c...
Porcelain
19th Century Squirrel Plate signed R.S. & Co.
By RS Associates
Located in New York, NY
Rare and whimsical antique squirrel transferware plate over an off white background with a gold leaf scallop trim. Beautifully executed and a great pi...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Odalisques Porcelain Dinner Plate by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans
By Vito Nesta
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Contemporary dinner plate 'Odalisques' designed by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans, a magical trip in an ottoman world made of exotic animals an...
Porcelain
Zebras Porcelain Dinner Plate by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Contemporary dinner plate 'Zebras' designed by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans, a magical trip in an Ottoman world made of exotic animals and ch...
Porcelain
Knights Porcelain Dinner Plate by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans
By Vito Nesta
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Contemporary dinner plate 'Knights' designed by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans, a magical trip in an Ottoman world made of exotic animals and characters such as dancers, soldiers and mu...
Porcelain
Women Porcelain Dinner Plate by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans
By Vito Nesta
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Contemporary dinner plate 'Women' designed by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans, a magical trip in an Ottoman world made of exotic animals and cha...
Porcelain
$2,255 / set
H 7.88 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Herend Rothschild Oiseaux Mocha & Dessert Set For 6 Persons, Hungary, 20th Cent
By Herend
Located in Vienna, AT
Herend service consisting of 21 parts: 1 lidded mocha pot, 1 milk jug, 1 lidded sugar bowl, 6 cups, 6 saucers, 6 dessert plates. Shape: Osier basket weave Decor: RO - Rothschild Ois...
Porcelain
Dervishes Porcelain Dinner Plate by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans
By Vito Nesta
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Contemporary dinner plate 'Dervishes' designed by Vito Nesta for Les-Ottomans, a magical trip in an ottoman world made of exotic animals and characters such as dervishes, dancers, so...
Porcelain
$60,000
H 12 in W 14 in D 7 in
Magnificent French Antique Porcelain 116-Piece Dinner Set, 19th Century
Located in Montreal, Quebec
116 Pieces A magnificent French Antique porcelain 116-piece dinner set, 19th century, with burgundy and gold accents. This set is exceptionnal both in its beauty, its state of conservation, and the extraordinary range of pieces and serving pieces. Set includes: o 33 assiettes (8.75" diam) o 13 shallow soup plates (8.5") o 18 dessert plates (8.5") o 9 saucers (5.25") o 9 cups (2 " H x 3.5 x 4 ) o 12 cream jars with their lids "pots à crème...
Porcelain
$950 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.5 in
Set of 12 Noritake Morimura Gilt Dinner or Service Plates, Ex-Seidenberg
By Noritake
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 Noritake porcelain dinner plates. With transfer painted polychrome flowers to the center & rim, green Rococo style decoration, and raised gold highlights. (Labeled to the reverse with an old Seidenberg sticker pricing the set at $2250.) Simply a wonderful set of dinner service plates! Date: Mid-20th Century Overall Condition: They are in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Condition Details: There is some noticeable rubbing to the inner gold ring in the centers of most plates. There is some minor rubbing and losses to gilding high points in the raised gold decoration and one small noticeable (a little bit deeper) half-inch scratch to one plate. Otherwise, there are some fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: Noritake Morimura Brothers...
Porcelain
Limoges hand painted porcelain dog set, Escalier de Cristal, XIXe
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
The set includes: 9 dog plates 4 oval serving platters 39,5x26,5cm 2 oval serving platters 44,5x30,5cm This sumptuous porcelain service consists of plates and a serving platter, al...
Gold
Sold
H 2.17 in W 5.32 in D 9.45 in
Serving Dish Choisy-le-Roi for L'Escalier de Cristal, 19th "Grands Oiseaux"
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Discover the magnificent serving dish from the "Grands Oiseaux" collection, an exceptional piece from the iconic Escalier de Cristal, the premier tableware store of the 19th century....
Ceramic
Sold
H 4.34 in W 7.29 in D 7.29 in
Baccarat Crystal Box mounted Sterling Silver on dish by "Escalier de Cristal"
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely rare Baccarat engraved crystal square box with his square under dish mounted with a sterling silver frame. Set realized by l'Escalier de C...
Crystal, Silver
Sold
H 4.34 in W 3.94 in D 3.55 in
Aesthetic Mouvement Cache-Pot by L'Escalier de Cristal, circa 1870-75
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An Aesthetic Mouvement mini Cache-Pot Polychromed enamelled and Gilt hand-painted porcelain on a turquoise blue ground simulating Japanese cloisonné enamels with Japonisme design o...
Ormolu, Enamel
Gilt Bronze Mirrored Plateau by L'Escalier de Cristal
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
This French plateau by L'Escalier de Cristal showcases exquisite ormolu bronze work. Intricately adorned with openwork decoration including grape v...
Ormolu, Bronze
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.56 in
"Escalier De Cristal" Bracquemond Design Earthenware 2 Dinner Plates, circa 1878
By L'Escalier de Cristal, Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French Fine faience service was edited by "Escalier De crystal" circa 1878, after Bracquemond astonishing designs inspired b...
Earthenware
Rare "Escalier De Cristal" Bracquemond Design, 2 Dessert Plates, circa 1878
By L'Escalier de Cristal, Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French fine faience service was edited by "Escalier De Cristal" circa 1878, after Bracquemond astonishing designs inspired by Japonism following Paris Universa...
Earthenware
Sold
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
"Escalier De Cristal" Bracquemond design, set of 2 Dessert Plates, circa 1878
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French fine faience service was edited by "Escalier De Crystal" circa 1878, after Bracquemond astonishing designs inspired b...
Earthenware
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.56 in
Remarkable and Rare Dinner Plates "Escalier De Cristal", Set of 2, circa 1878
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French fine faience service was edited by "Escalier De crystal" circa 1878, Bracquemond did astonishing designs inspired by ...
Earthenware
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.56 in
Remarkable and Rare Dinner Plates "Escalier De Cristal", Set of 2, circa 1878
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French fine faience service after Bracquemond astonishing designs inspired by Japonism was edited by "Escalier De crystal", ...
Earthenware
"Escalier De Cristal" Choisy-Le-Roi Earthenware Deep Plates, circa 1878
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
This French fine faience service of eight deep plates after Bracquemond was edited by 'Escalier De crystal' circa 1878 , there are more than 24 different patterns all hand painted by...
Earthenware
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.56 in L 1.19 in
"Escalier De Cristal" Choisy-Le-Roi Earthenware Deep Plates, circa 1878
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
This French fine faience service of eight deep plates after Bracquemond was edited by 'Escalier De crystal', circa 1878, there are more than 24 different patterns all hand painted by...
Earthenware