Napoleon III Decorative Objects

Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) A very fine gilt bronze and great quality polychrome cloisonné enamel hand candlestick. Signed F.BARBEDIENNE Circa 1875.  

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...

Fine French late 19th century ormolu mounted photo frame. The frame beautifully cast with a gilded bronze scrolling patterned surround. The boarder sweeping across the top of the frame in three separate sections hinged from top to bottom between each panel. The ormolu boarding beautiful glass panels with pressed flowers...

Crafted in France, circa 1880, the antique clay composition features three cheerful children in traditional clothing and boots; they are sitting on a bench, laughing and talking with...

Late 19th century Paris porcelain standing statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, circa 1880. White porcelain with gilt decoration. Contrasting bisque face wi...

A palatial, extremely rare, and important Napoleon III French ormolu and patinated bronze regulateur de parquet clock, by Louis-Constantin Detouche, Paris, circa 1850. The clock case made form the finest French ormolu, with 2 very large patinated bronze seated putti The white enamel dial Signed C. DETOUCHE/ PARIS. The clock movement is numbered 7064 and stamped with maker’s stamps C. Detouche RUE st. MARTIN and C. DETOUCHE 158 R. St MARTIN 160, with medaille d’argent stamp, on a serpentine part ebonized mahogany plinth. At over six feet tall, the present clock is impressive in scale and rare in Detouche’s oeuvre. While other large clocks were produced by the firm, few of this scale are so overtly decorative and usually incorporate greater mechanical complication. For example, a gilt bronze astronomical regulator clock...

Antique zinc finial has small scallops around the bottom with holes for nails or screws when it was once attached to a building. Great as garden e...

Very Large Important and Rare Napoleon III Period Ormolu And Patinated Bronze Sculptural rotary 3-piece clock set ("Pendule A Cercles Tournants") compr...

A French Napoleon III Period Rouge Marble Gilt & Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley Movement marked: J. Lefebvre Fils Paris & Numbered1938 Movement stamped: Medaille De Bronze J. Marti & Cie & Numbered 92 Dial signed: A. Beurdeley Fila, Paris France, Circa 1875 Dimensions: Height: 24" (61cm), Width: 22" (56cm) Depth: 11" (28cm) Excellent Working Condition Biography French — Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley was a Parisian cabinetmaker who specialized in the manufacture of luxurious French furnishings...

19th century French Majolica bust in the figure of a woman. Lovely detail in sculpture, glaze is vibrant, some glaze drips. Great molding detail. Slight nibbles around base of statue...