Fire screens shielded people from excessive heat and flying sparks.  They also covered the fireplace when not in use. Iron, brass and bronze were often the metals used, with wire mesh insets to trap sparks.

 

Napoleon III, who was Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, reigned as was Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870.  His tenure marked the height of the Second French Empire, a period of economic growth, modernization and territorial expansion.  In terms of decorative style, this brought creative freedom and broader access to products that had previously only been available to the very wealthy.  The exuberant shapes and decoration of the past, based on 17th and 18th century styles, were adapted to this more modern era, corresponding to a time of innovation.  And, growing middle and upper classes commissioned furniture to consolidate their standard of living, with abundance and comfort becoming hallmarks of design. There was an abundance of inspiration, a profusion of materials and a richness of decoration during Napoleon III’s reign.

 

Bronze d'oré, also known as ormolu or gilt bronze, was a decorative finish used on luxury furnishings in the 18th and 19th centuries. An application of finely ground high carat gold and mercury amalgam was placed on objects of bronze. When subjected to extremely high heat, the mercury evaporated, leaving behind a lustrous coating of gold.