Items Similar to Napoleon III Blue Opaline “Egg in Nest” Perfume Casket Paris Views, Palais Royal
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Napoleon III Blue Opaline “Egg in Nest” Perfume Casket Paris Views, Palais Royal
$4,800per set
£3,624.52per set
€4,176.86per set
CA$6,774.84per set
A$7,469.11per set
CHF 3,907.60per set
MX$91,632.07per set
NOK 49,188.89per set
SEK 45,999.39per set
DKK 31,192.91per set
About the Item
Napoleon III Blue Opaline “Egg in Nest” Perfume Casket with Paris Views, Palais Royal, Paris, circa 1860–1880
A superb French Napoleon III blue opaline glass and ormolu-mounted perfume casket, crafted in Paris circa 1860–1880 and retailed at the Palais Royal, the celebrated Parisian arcade renowned for its luxury souvenirs and objets de vertu. The hinged, egg-shaped case rests on a naturalistic ormolu stand of entwined grapevines, leaves, and clusters, symbolic of abundance and refinement. The interior is fitted with a gilt-bronze frame that holds two matching crystal perfume flasks.
Each bottle is overlaid with finely cast gilt-bronze foliate cagework and retains its original faceted glass stopper and hinged ormolu lid. The lids are inset with hand-painted Parisian landmark miniatures: one depicts the Arc de Triomphe, and the other the Hôtel de Ville.
The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon I and completed in 1836, commemorates France’s military triumphs and stands as a modern echo of the Roman triumphal arch. To Grand Tour travelers, it represented Napoleonic glory, France’s imperial ambition, and Paris as a city of victory. By contrast, the Hôtel de Ville — Paris’s historic city hall — symbolized civic power, municipal pride, and the grandeur of Parisian civic life. Together, these images juxtapose imperial triumph with civic governance, encapsulating the dual identity of 19th-century Paris as both an imperial and modern civic capital.
The luminous turquoise opaline glass, a prized French luxury of the mid-19th century, further elevates the object, while the Bacchic ormolu decoration evokes sensuality, abundance, and refinement. This perfume egg was both a functional boudoir object and a Palais Royal Grand Tour souvenir, uniting artistry, symbolism, and Parisian cultural memory in a single jewel-like piece.
Dimensions
Casket: 8" W x 3.5" D x 4" H
Perfume bottles: 2.5" H x 1.5" diameter each
Condition
Excellent antique condition.
Vibrant blue opaline body free of chips or cracks.
Ormolu mounts retain bright original gilding with only minor expected wear.
Both crystal bottles present with original faceted stoppers and intact ormolu lids; miniature paintings clear and well-preserved.
Provenance & Meaning
Palais Royal, Paris, circa 1860–1880.
Opaline glass: Symbol of refinement and French luxury craftsmanship.
Ormolu grapevines: Evocation of Bacchic abundance and sensual pleasure.
Arc de Triomphe: Imperial triumph, Napoleonic glory, classical continuity.
Hôtel de Ville: Civic authority, municipal pride, and Parisian modernity.
Grand Tour Souvenir: Acquired at the Palais Royal by elite travelers as part of the cultural pilgrimage to Paris.
- Dimensions:Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Napoleon III (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1850-1870
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2592346555472
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1996
1stDibs seller since 2017
1,419 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllNapoleon III Blue Opaline & Lucite Newel Post
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Blue Opaline & Lucite Newel Post
France, Circa 1850
Enhance your interior with this exquisite Napoleon III Blue Opaline & Lucite Newel Post, an unique piece of 19th-cen...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Mounted Objects
Materials
Bronze
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Napoleon III Exotic Burlwood Jewelry/ Table Box, France, Circa 1870s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Exotic Burlwood Jewelry/Table Box
France, circa 1870s
A stunning Napoleon III exotic burlwood jewelry/table box from France, circa 1870s. This exquisite 19th-century wo...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
$2,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Napoleon III Woven Gilt Bronze Handled Basket, Weave Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III woven gilt bronze handled basket -weave table box
France, circa 1875
A whimsical, yet intricately woven of a handled basket weave table ...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Napoleon III Opaline Glass & Ormolu Tassel Vases, Paris, Circa 1870s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Napoleon III Opaline Glass and Ormolu Tassel Vases
Paris, circa 1870s
Enhance your collection or interior with this exquisite pair of Napoleon III...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Vases
Materials
Ormolu
$1,196 Sale Price / set
20% Off
18th C. Capodimonte Box, Views Royal Palace of Caserta & Belvedere di San Leucio
By Capodimonte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18th C. Capodimonte Box, Views Royal Palace of Caserta & Belvedere di San Leucio Consisting of two pieces: the lid and base.
This elegant 18th-century...
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu & Opaline Palais Royal Candelabra
By Palais Royal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th-century French Ormolu and Opaline Palais Royal Candelabra, circa 1865
France, 19th century
A rare find, this matched pair of 19th-century French candelabra is a capti...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French High Victorian Candelabras
Materials
Ormolu
$4,760 Sale Price / set
20% Off
You May Also Like
Sèvres Porcelain Casket, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain casket, Napoleon III period, 19th century.
19th century casket, Napoleon III period, Sèvres porcelain and gilt brass mount.
H: 13cm, W: 26cm, D: 15cm
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Palais-Royal Mother-of-Pearl Perfume Box and Flasks
Located in New Orleans, LA
This mother-of-pearl inlay perfume box is a rare and complete treasure from the famed Palais-Royal of France’s Second Empire. The box is a work of art, meticulously fashioned to deli...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Other Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ormolu
$22,850 / set
19th Century Perfume Box - Napoleon III - Crystal Bottles
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique marquetry wooden box for perfume.
The box dates from the French Napoleon III period, circa 1880-1890.
The box features those original crystal perfume bottles, bea...
Category
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Burl
Antique Palais Royal French Casket Necessaire Vanity Chest 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine and well fitted ebonised Gonçalo Alves Palais Royal travel necessaire / vanity chest, by Maison Smal L. Dujat - Palais Royal 7 (Paris), circa 1850 in date.
This sup...
Category
Antique 1850s French Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
PERFUME BOX WITH LID French Napoleon III 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PERFUME BOX WITH LID
French Napoleon III 19th Century
in ebonised wood, tortoiseshell and gilded metal.
Interior with three golden glass bottles.
Defects of age
Dim.: (box) 11 x 1...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pumpkin-shaped candy box in opaline, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
A Napoleon III period candy dish, 19th century, in white opaline, forming a pumpkin.
H: 16cm, D: 23cm
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Opaline Glass
