Skip to main content

L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

French

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.

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
9
12
10
10
8
Creator: L'Escalier de Cristal
19th Century Napoleon III Side Table, Maison L'Escalier de Cristal Paris
19th Century Napoleon III Side Table, Maison L'Escalier de Cristal Paris

19th Century Napoleon III Side Table, Maison L'Escalier de Cristal Paris

$4,175

19th Century Napoleon III Side Table, Maison L'Escalier de Cristal Paris

By L'Escalier de Cristal

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

A refined side table made of burr walnut veneer on an oak base, with elegant tapered legs, at the ending gilt bronze clawfeet. The table has extra server drawers on both sides. Around the top a copper rim. The table is stamped on the bottom: Maison L'Escalier de Cristal Paris...

Category

1870s French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Marquetry Vanity Table or Side Table
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Marquetry Vanity Table or Side Table

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Marquetry Vanity Table or Side Table

$2,495

H 29.5 in W 24.5 in D 17.5 in

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Marquetry Vanity Table or Side Table

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This mid nineteenth century French Napoleon III period marquetry side table is constructed of walnut. Called a "travailleuse" in French, it was originally used as a lady's work table...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Inlaid Napoleon III Side Table / Vanity 19th Century Marquetry
Antique French Inlaid Napoleon III Side Table / Vanity 19th Century Marquetry

Antique French Inlaid Napoleon III Side Table / Vanity 19th Century Marquetry

$2,777

H 29.14 in W 22.05 in D 14.97 in

Antique French Inlaid Napoleon III Side Table / Vanity 19th Century Marquetry

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

A very nice Napoleon III side table inlaid with marquetry 1860-1870. Standing on curved and blackened legs with connecting platform. The beautiful instrumental inlaid top and flora...

Category

1860s French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Copper

French inlaid and parquetry work table, 19th century Napoleon III
French inlaid and parquetry work table, 19th century Napoleon III

French inlaid and parquetry work table, 19th century Napoleon III

$1,600

H 28 in W 22 in D 16.5 in

French inlaid and parquetry work table, 19th century Napoleon III

Located in Houston, TX

This French Napoleon III work table, dating to the mid-19th Century, is a versatile and highly decorative antique that offers beauty, history, and everyday usefulness. A beautifully ...

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Napoleon III in the Louis Quinze Style Side Table
19th Century Napoleon III in the Louis Quinze Style Side Table

19th Century Napoleon III in the Louis Quinze Style Side Table

$4,581

H 23.63 in Dm 26.19 in

19th Century Napoleon III in the Louis Quinze Style Side Table

Located in Berlin, DE

Mahogany on solid oak, slightly convex and concave-curved body, flanked by extended corner irons on tall, elegantly curved legs in sabots. Cover plate with mottled marble (torn in t...

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Walnut Burl Side Table, Napoleon III Style
19th Century French Walnut Burl Side Table, Napoleon III Style

19th Century French Walnut Burl Side Table, Napoleon III Style

$1,790

H 28 in W 19.5 in D 13 in

19th Century French Walnut Burl Side Table, Napoleon III Style

Located in Stockbridge, GA

Charming 19th century French side table. The wood is made of burl of walnut with black lacquered feet, circa 1870. It can be used as a jewelry table.

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Walnut, Burl

19th Century Napoleon III Henry Dasson Side Table
19th Century Napoleon III Henry Dasson Side Table

19th Century Napoleon III Henry Dasson Side Table

$4,262

H 70 in W 35 in D 29 in

19th Century Napoleon III Henry Dasson Side Table

By Henry Dasson

Located in Berlin, DE

Solid mahogany and polished oak. Embracing frame box on high slightly curved legs with intermediate tray connected in sabots. Slightly protruding top plate in brass frame. (G-69).

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Onyx, Ormolu and Champlevé side table
French 19th century Napoleon III Period Onyx, Ormolu and Champlevé side table

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Onyx, Ormolu and Champlevé side table

$19,800

H 31.75 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Onyx, Ormolu and Champlevé side table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A superb and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III Period Louis XVI st. Onyx, Ormolu and Champlevé side table. This stunning two-tier side table is raised by three toupie sha...

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu

French Side Table, Napoleon III, Paris
French Side Table, Napoleon III, Paris

French Side Table, Napoleon III, Paris

$5,044

H 27.96 in W 14.18 in D 11.03 in

French Side Table, Napoleon III, Paris

Located in Berlin, DE

Solid woodFire-gilt fittings. Two drawers carcase ending on long curved legs in sabots. (G-73).

Category

1870s French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Side Table in Walnut with Marble Top
Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Side Table in Walnut with Marble Top

Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Side Table in Walnut with Marble Top

$1,141Sale Price|34% Off

H 29.14 in W 22.05 in D 11.82 in

Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Side Table in Walnut with Marble Top

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

We offer you this splendid and sophisticated coffee table, made in Italy around the end of the 19th century during the Napoleon III period. Made of elegant walnut wood, the upper su...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Napoleon III Etagere, Sidetable, Marquetry, Paris circa 1870
19th Century French Napoleon III Etagere, Sidetable, Marquetry, Paris circa 1870

19th Century French Napoleon III Etagere, Sidetable, Marquetry, Paris circa 1870

$3,595

H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 14.57 in

19th Century French Napoleon III Etagere, Sidetable, Marquetry, Paris circa 1870

Located in Greven, DE

Antique etagere with fine inlay work Paris Wood, brass around 1870 Dimensions: H × W × D: 77 × 50 × 37 cm Description: Three-tier side furniture with a single-light body and a sur...

Category

1870s French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Inlaid Wood Folding and Serving Table
19th Century French Napoleon III Inlaid Wood Folding and Serving Table

19th Century French Napoleon III Inlaid Wood Folding and Serving Table

$1,391Sale Price|20% Off

H 24.02 in W 28.75 in D 24.41 in

19th Century French Napoleon III Inlaid Wood Folding and Serving Table

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Rare and fine quality French Napoleon III 1880s coffee and cocktail folding table in inlay wood. The table has particular turned legs. Fine inlay decoration on the center plan. Really delicious table. This table is perfect for small rooms, it can be folded and opened only when it is to be used. Used good condition. The antique folding table have been used in need of restoration as you can see from the wear defects in photos. We can provide in our Italian professional laboratories for the complete restoration of wood. You can receive your perfectly restored antique table...

Category

1880s French Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Sewing Table, 1880s
19th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Sewing Table, 1880s

19th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Sewing Table, 1880s

$3,247

H 28.35 in W 23.63 in D 17.72 in

19th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Sewing Table, 1880s

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French sewing table from the second half of the 19th century. A Napoleon III furniture, finely inlaid with geometric decorations in walnut, maple, burl, rosewood, mahogany, and high-...

Category

1880s French Napoleon III Antique L'Escalier de Cristal Serving Tables

Materials

Wood

L'escalier De Cristal serving tables for sale on 1stDibs.

L'Escalier de Cristal serving tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of L'Escalier de Cristal serving tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for L'Escalier de Cristal serving tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,882 and can go as high as $3,882, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,882.

More L'Escalier de Cristal Furniture

L'Escalier de Cristal Center Tables
L'Escalier de Cristal End Tables
L'Escalier de Cristal Side Tables
L'Escalier de Cristal Decorative Objects
L'Escalier de Cristal Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
L'Escalier de Cristal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
L'Escalier de Cristal Vases
View All Popular Serving Tables Searches