French Collectibles and Curiosities

In bisque porcelain, depicting the Imperial couple facing right, the tsar wearing military uniform, the empress, a kokoshnik (Russian headdress), inscribed NICHOLAS II and ALEXANDRA,...

Vintage French wooden (sailing) canoe by Seyler, l’Hirondelle. The name of this boat is Pilou. Finely made French vintage wooden canoe by Seyle...

Vincent The Works of Vincent Van Gogh Large Hardcover Art Book. New York: Gallery Books, 1991. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Considered a founding father of modern painting, Vincent van Gogh is also one of the most famed tragic figures in art history. Vincent Willem van Gogh...

A beautiful pair of miniature binoculars, or opera glasses, crafted from brass and clad in iridescent mother of pearl inlaid panels. Dating from the late 19th century, these were mad...

Dimensions: 3.25 x 2.5 x 1 in.   

An outstanding mid-17th century Enclume - Anvil in beautiful iron. Sensational patina. A perfect art piece for any traditional or modern setting.

Chess in pink and black marble. Made circa 1980, each piece is handmade. Two of the pink piece were restored after a shock (please see photos), nothing disturbing. Height of the p...

A French walnut child's chair from the late 19th century, with cane seat and upholstered cushion. Created in France during the last decade of the 19th century, this petite walnut cha...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

Set of old books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are called for example "Sermons". T...

This WWI poster features a woman wearing long robes holding a red cross symbol in her right hand and an American flag in her left. The figure is set in fro...

Louis XV style miniature chest of drawers or commode à la Parisienne A Louis XV style walnut marquetry commode or chest of drawers of tomb-shaped form, the serpentine top echoed b...

Katie Larmour Studio is the original vintage scarf pillow maker. Gaining notability for her unique idea and creations back in 2013 - featured in the likes of the Financial Times, and first selling here on 1stdibs in 2016 - our creations are of the absolute top most quality, craftsmanship and finesse. Thank-you for looking.\ Title: Set of 4 matching rare vintage French cartier panther bracelet designer silk scarf pillows...

A French Restauration period carved giltwood barometer from the early 19th century, signed Gohin Ingénieur-Opticien on the face. Created in France during the Restauration period, thi...

Rare early 19th century stone boss We are proud to offer one of the most unusual examples of a European hand carved stone boss. In the form of a vampire / grotesque. The paint is c...

Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) a rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985, Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450. Measures: 4" high x 3...

Brass adjustable desk magnifier 20th century Elegant desktop magnifying glass made of golden brass, with original magnifying glass and very ...

Antique rustic stone chess. By unknown manufacturer from France, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preser...

Tapis Berberes du Maroc, in French. The high artistic value of the carpet of the Berber tribes has already inspired artists like Paul Klee and Le Corbus...

A terrific set of two early 19th century bowling balls in wood and metal. Great objects to decorate a bookcase or tabletop. The larger ball measures 10 1/4" 9 7/8" diameter. The smal...

19th century Grand Tour / Egyptian Revival carved and polished black slate obelisk, the fronts decorated with very fine incised hieroglyphic designs which have been accented with gol...

Original French film poster The Maltese Falcon, 1941. Warner Bros. released the film in American in 1941. Although Humphrey Bogart had already been in ...

Direct from France, a very unique French antique chair, with outstanding hand carvings, known as a French “smoking chair”, or “Fumeuse”, “chaise d...

Maxime Old Architecte-Decorateur. Published by Norma Editions, Paris, 2000. Maxime Old was one of the leading furniture makers and designers in France from the mid-1930s-the 1980s. He was born into a long line of cabinet makers and as a young man he joined the famed workshop of Jacques Emile...

Original French film poster. This epic British film is based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel. The film stars Peter O'Toole i...

Vintage adjustable necklace stand and jewelry holder.

Mobilier Regence, Louis XV by Monica Burckhardt. Editions Charles Massin, Paris, 1976. First edition hardcover with dust jacket. 80p photos and text of early 18th century furniture i...

Mobilier Normand by Lucile Oliver. Ch. Massin, Paris, 1976. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. 84pp illustrated throughout with color photographs and b&w map of French furniture from...

Mobilier Savoyard et Dauphinois by Lucile Oliver. Editions Ch. Massin, Paris, 1978. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. Examines Savoyard and Dauphin period antique furniture. The are...

Mobilier Régional Ile-de-France by Edith Mannoni. Charles Massin & Ci, Paris, 1998. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. The Ile-de-France, center of beautiful furniture, under the inf...

Mobilier de Haute-Normandie by Edith Mannoni. Editions Charles Massin, Paris, 1995. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. The Norman cupboard, the most beautiful of regional furniture, ...

Mobilier Basque by Lucile Oliver. Editions Ch. Massin, Paris. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. French regional furniture of the Basque region. Text in French.

Mobilier Vendeen Aunis-Saintonge by Lucile Oliver. Edition Charles Massin, Paris, 1980. 1st Edition hardcover with dust jacket. Regional furnitu...

Régence Louis XV by Claude-Paule Wiegandt. Editions Massin, Paris, France, 1994. 1st Edition hardcover with dust jacket book that explores the influences in French furniture design t...

Mobilier Savoyard & Dauphinois by Edith Mannoni. Massin, Paris, 1994. 1st Edition hardcover with dust jacket. Examines Savoyard and Dauphin peri...

Collection of Masonic keepsakes consisting of two silver round lidded containers both showing different symbols of Freemasonry. Lidded containers may have been used to hold a ring, c...

Large size sculpture and an impressive religious work of art. Looking at Christ suffering like this, the crucifix (in our view) is a symbol of what 'telling people the truth' can le...

Original French film poster for Marilyn Monroe's 1954 film River of No Return. This very rare French poster features art work by Roger Soubie (1898...

An unusual and fine French carved giltwood barometer with military theme of carved instruments ad weaponry.

Fine French 19th and 20th century assorted leather bound decorative books. In-12 and in-8 (between 6 1/2" and 9 1/2" high). Large inventory available. Dimensions are approximate ...

group of 3 different french maps mounted on linen, matted and framed. Available individually or as a group, $1250.00 per piece (2 maps from group shown have sold)