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.

 

Briarwood refers to the burl of the Erica arborea shrub, native to East Africa and the Mediterranean.  It is a hard, dense wood with intricate swirling grain and fine texture.  It was favored as a veneer of unique quality in antique furniture making.

 

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.

Gilt-bronze mounts were used to protect furniture from damage and to emphasize form, and to mount beautiful objects such as clocks and candelabra, pedestals and porcelain vases, to mention a few uses.