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Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

NAPOLEON III STYLE

Under Napoleon III’s rule, Paris underwent a great rebuilding overseen by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, which created grand avenues and lavish landmarks like the Paris Opera. Antique Napoleon III–style furniture was flamboyant and eclectic. It was also known as Second Empire style since it followed and referenced the Empire style of his uncle Napoleon I.

Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons. It borrowed freely from earlier French styles including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI as well as aesthetics from around the world, from antiquity to Asian art. As writer Gustave Claudin remarked in 1867, the country’s architects worked in “a style which one would be tempted to call neo-Greco-Gothico-Pompadour-Pompeian.”

Napoleon III chairs were completely covered with velvet and lined with tassels; pouf footstools invited people to put up their feet. Sofas were upholstered with tapestries, and beds were adorned with gilt bronze and theatrical canopies. The addition of conservatories to homes led to new indoor-outdoor furniture, while the spirit of hygiene promoted by Baron Haussmann inspired bright, floral motifs.

Although the most ostentatious designs were for the elite, as seen in the Napoleon III apartments preserved in the Louvre, where red velvet, gilding and chandeliers create a cacophony of luxury, these trends influenced homes across classes as manufacturing made design increasingly accessible. Papier-mâché furniture allowed for elaborate shapes that would have been difficult to carve in wood. The malleable material was painted with chinoiserie patterns and decorative designs. It was mass-produced by factories such as Jennens and Bettridge with varnishing and mother-of-pearl inlays creating an effect reminiscent of Asian lacquer. (Surfaces that had been “japanned” — a specialty of Jennens and Bettridge — were intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia.)

Find a collection of antique Napoleon III decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Napoleon III
19th Century Napoleon III Burl Wood Sewing Box
19th Century Napoleon III Burl Wood Sewing Box

19th Century Napoleon III Burl Wood Sewing Box

Located in Paris, FR

Varnished, burl wood sewing box, decorated with Greek frieze and brass inlays. The box contains a mirror and sewing utensils made of bone and brass, as...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Liqueur Box with Bronze Inlay
19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Liqueur Box with Bronze Inlay

19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Liqueur Box with Bronze Inlay

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Made of palissander, this lovely Napoleon III period liqueur box is lacquered in black, a method which became popular during Napoleon III's reign. The rose...

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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

Early 20th C. French Repoussé Brass and Wood Slant Lid Box with Sailboat Scene
Early 20th C. French Repoussé Brass and Wood Slant Lid Box with Sailboat Scene

Early 20th C. French Repoussé Brass and Wood Slant Lid Box with Sailboat Scene

Located in Dallas, TX

Decorate a desk, library table, or console with this charming antique French decorative box, crafted circa 1920. The rectangular coffer features a slant lid clad in repoussé brass, b...

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Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

PERFUME BOX WITH LID  French Napoleon III 19th Century
PERFUME BOX WITH LID  French Napoleon III 19th Century

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...

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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique round glass box with miniature painting, late 19th century
Antique round glass box with miniature painting, late 19th century

Antique round glass box with miniature painting, late 19th century

Located in Bilzen, BE

An antique round glass box with in the lid a painted miniature from a noble lady Late 19th century The inside of the lid has a mirror The glass box have a frame from gilded brass Dia...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Marquetry Box, Rosewood & Brass Inlay
19th Century Napoleon III Marquetry Box, Rosewood & Brass Inlay

19th Century Napoleon III Marquetry Box, Rosewood & Brass Inlay

Located in Winter Park, FL

A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry box made of rosewood veneer with fine mother-of-pearl and brass inlay. The interior is lined in paper and the inside of the lid has a mir...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl

Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl

Located in Paris, FR

Sizeable rectangular, wooden coffer with its key. The blackened wood is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and brass. The lid and the main face of the box are r...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Palisander Game Box, Tortoise Shell
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Palisander Game Box, Tortoise Shell

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Palisander Game Box, Tortoise Shell

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Once owned by Leon Boissier Palun (1916-2007), former Senegalese ambassador to London and Paris, this mid nineteenth century French Napoleon III period palisander game box features a...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Marquetry Inlaid and Ebonized Wood Box
19th Century French Marquetry Inlaid and Ebonized Wood Box

19th Century French Marquetry Inlaid and Ebonized Wood Box

Located in Bradenton, FL

19th Century Napoleon III precious wood and marquetry Inlaid and ebonized box. Hinged box top features a central motif of fauna and flowers. Inner box is lined with blue satin padded...

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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Correspondence Box Napoleon III
Correspondence Box Napoleon III

Correspondence Box Napoleon III

Located in Madrid, ES

Correspondence box, Napoleon III period, composed on the top of two flaps. Their facades are embellished with Square and Rectangle Marquetry. In add...

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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba
NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba

NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba

By Napoléon III

Located in Miami, FL

An antique Napoleon III traveler portable writing-desk box. This is a gorgeous portable writing desk-box, created in France during the period of emperor Napoleon III, circa 1860. Th...

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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather, Shell, Wood

French Napoléon III Black Lacquer Box with Boulle-Style Cartouche
French Napoléon III Black Lacquer Box with Boulle-Style Cartouche

French Napoléon III Black Lacquer Box with Boulle-Style Cartouche

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This exquisite French Napoléon III black lacquer box is a fine 19th-century desk accessory distinguished by its elegant proportions and Boulle-style decorative cartouche. Crafted wit...

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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche vertical stripes Salimbeni
Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche vertical stripes Salimbeni

Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche vertical stripes Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Round table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, with “paillons” in pure gold on the upper circle, fine fired enamelled miniature with hand-painted floral ...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century Napoleon III Game Box
19th Century Napoleon III Game Box

19th Century Napoleon III Game Box

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

Beautiful antique wooden game box from the French Napoleon III period. The wood is inlaid with a brass emblem and brass piping, this gold color contr...

Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni
Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni

Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni

By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Rectangular table box in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with fine hand-engraved ornaments in late Napoleon III Empire style and transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engrave...

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1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone translucent stripes fired enameled on guillochè and fine hand-engraved on all sides, French Empire Napoleon...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy
Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy

Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy

Located in Greenwich, CT

A Napolean III gilt bronze mounted burlwood caddy of exceptional quality, having inlaid top with engraved brass monogram and heavily molded body, the interior with gilt-bead trimmed ...

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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

French Boarding Student Suit Case Napoleon III Style Pine, circa 1900
French Boarding Student Suit Case Napoleon III Style Pine, circa 1900

French Boarding Student Suit Case Napoleon III Style Pine, circa 1900

Located in Labrit, Landes

French pupil suitcase in pine. This kind of suit case was used by the boarding students to transport their school equipment. In the style of Napoleon III Shipping: L 39,5 P17 ...

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Early 20th Century European Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box
Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box

Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

19th Century Napoleon III period black lacquer jewelry or trinket box features an intricate lid. Intricately decorated lid highlights this beautiful trinket box, circa 1860's. The pe...

Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket
19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket

19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket

Located in Dallas, TX

This antique coal scuttle was created in France, circa 1870. Built of cast iron, and shaped as a shell with foliage repousse decor, the patinated bucket stands on escargot feet over ...

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Mid-19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Napoleon III Style  French Walnut Table Box
Napoleon III Style  French Walnut Table Box

Napoleon III Style French Walnut Table Box

Located in Prato, Tuscany

We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Eleg...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut, Paper

French Antique Napoleon III Style Glove Box or Jewelry Box Marquetry
French Antique Napoleon III Style Glove Box or Jewelry Box Marquetry

French Antique Napoleon III Style Glove Box or Jewelry Box Marquetry

By Del Vecchio Napoli 1

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a 19th-century French antique Napoleon III style glove box or jewelry box, typically crafted from burl wood veneer and featuring intricate brass and mother-of...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleonic Style Bronze Box with Sévres Attr. Inset plaque
Antique French Napoleonic Style Bronze Box with Sévres Attr. Inset plaque

Antique French Napoleonic Style Bronze Box with Sévres Attr. Inset plaque

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Dimensions - H: 4 1/2 in W: 6 3/4 in D: 4 1/2 in This exquisite Antique French Napoleonic Style bronze box captures the imperial grandeur and refined craftsmanship associated with ...

Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Covered Vase with Atlantes, attr. to A. Giroux, France, circa 1880
Covered Vase with Atlantes, attr. to A. Giroux, France, circa 1880

Covered Vase with Atlantes, attr. to A. Giroux, France, circa 1880

By Alphonse Giroux et Cie

Located in PARIS, FR

Beautiful ovoid-shaped covered vase in patinated bronze with golden highlights, with rich rotating decoration in relief. The lid, symbolizing Night, is decorated with a turtle, a moon, a dragon flying among the clouds ; and the belly, symbolizing the Day, is decorated with a rising sun, mountainous landscapes, and cherry tree branches. The whole, topped with a flamed seed, is supported by three African-type atlantes dressed in a loincloth. Historical and artistic context This work of art combines elements of Japonism and Orientalism, two important movements representative of the taste of the time for exoticism. Indeed, this taste for Chinoiserie was revived at the end of the 19th century following the Franco-English military campaign against the imperial army in China in 1860. Napoleon III’s French troops bring back part of the treasure from the Summer Palace, constituting in 1863 the famous Chinese Museum of Empress Eugénie at the Palace of Fontainebleau. First in painting, the movement quickly spread to decorative arts and furniture. This craze for the Far East is encouraged in France by the diffusion of Chinese ornamental works renewing the interior decoration of the luxurious Parisian residences of a clientele eager for something new. It was also under the Second Empire that the Orientalists were propelled to the forefront. Emperor Napoleon III, aristocrats as well as wealthy bourgeois in search of exoticism fill the order books of the most renowned artists. It is then not the predominantly academic style of the Orientalists that counts but above all the exoticism that they show to a fascinated public. Biography Alphonse Giroux and Company, famous curiosity and luxury goods shop was situated in Paris, at No. 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré and in business from the time of the Consulate until the end of the Second Empire. The company was founded by Francois-Simon-Alphonse and continued in 1838 by his two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (1810-1886) and André (1801-1879). The father became a close associate of the royal family and specialized in the manufacture of refined items for gifts. Kings Louis XVIII and then Charles X were both supplied with gifts for « The Children of France » by Giroux. Making progressively small furniture, they were mentionned for the first time in 1837 in the class « cabinet...

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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Napoleon III Cut Crystal & Bronze D'ore "Fan Box" circa 1870-1880
Antique French Napoleon III Cut Crystal & Bronze D'ore "Fan Box" circa 1870-1880

Antique French Napoleon III Cut Crystal & Bronze D'ore "Fan Box" circa 1870-1880

Located in New Orleans, LA

Most Unusual Antique French Napoleon III Era Cut Crystal and Bronze D'Ore "Fan Box" Circa 1870-1880.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style,  Salimbeni
Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style,  Salimbeni

Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style, Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Rounded rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated with beautiful fire enamelled miniature hand-painted by the painter Renato Dainelli of a basket with flowers, in ...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

Located in LEGNY, FR

Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...

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1890s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III circular enamel box
Napoleon III circular enamel box

Napoleon III circular enamel box

Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Napoleon III circular enamel box Material bronze and Cloisonne enamel Origin France Circa 1870 19th century Excellent quality and excellent condition Natural wear on its patina Its i...

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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century French Burl Elm Inlaid Jewelry Box with Drawer & Inside Mirror
19th Century French Burl Elm Inlaid Jewelry Box with Drawer & Inside Mirror

19th Century French Burl Elm Inlaid Jewelry Box with Drawer & Inside Mirror

Located in Dallas, TX

Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant antique box. Created in France circa 1880, the rectangular cabinet is decorated with an elegant floral inlaid star motif on the t...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mercury Glass, Elm, Burl

19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy
19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy

19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box
Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box

Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box

Located in London, by appointment only

Bohemia, circa 1870. ​This exceptional 19th century antique casket originates from Carlsbad, a spa town in the west Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The town is officially known as Karlovy Vary and gained fame as a destination during the 19th century. Its piping hot springs drew tourists from across Europe to 'take the waters' and their health benefits. The highly figured stones used on this exceptional box were locally sourced and are specific to the hot mineral rich springs of Carlsbad. Close inspection will reveal layer on layer of fine mineral...

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1880s Czech Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Agate, Marble

Antique French Decorative Box, Napoleon III Style, Late 19th Century
Antique French Decorative Box, Napoleon III Style, Late 19th Century

Antique French Decorative Box, Napoleon III Style, Late 19th Century

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

French wooden casket, covered with colored and impressed paper with ancient processing system - Suitable for Your photos hanging around waiting to be fix...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Parchment Paper, Wood

19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box
19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box

19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Signed by maker on lock. Paris, France. Bronze/brass mounted.

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.

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. Dimensions : H: 16cm, D...

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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Opaline Glass

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A most elegant French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony, ormolu, and brass box. The box is raised by fine ormolu ball feet below a lovely wrap around mottled band. Each ebony si...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Game Box in Wood and Glit Brass, Napoleon III Period
Game Box in Wood and Glit Brass, Napoleon III Period

Game Box in Wood and Glit Brass, Napoleon III Period

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Game box in lacquered wood marquetry and gilt brass, with tokens inside. Gilding on the extremities of the spiral shape box. Work realized under Napoleon III (1852-1870).   

Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Napoleon Iii decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Paul Sormani, and A. Aucoc. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $333 and tops out at $20,970 while the average work can sell for $1,726.