Henri Picard was a 19th-century gilder who is said to have graced Paris with his stunning furniture and decor from 1831 to 1864. His bronze pieces included exquisitely detailed candelabras, ornate clocks and sculptural table lamps.
Each item cast and gilded by the talented Picard represented the marriage of function and beauty and is a notable example of Napoleon III-style design. Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons.
Picard was particularly known for his artistry — his body of work includes expertly cast gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts for a range of porcelain vessels produced by Sèvres, a maker of exemplary European ceramics for hundreds of years. Picard collaborated with many designers of his day and worked for a firm called Defreville. And while Picard received numerous commissions, his most notable was designing decorative objects for Napoleon III. The pieces are still displayed at the Napoleon III Apartments in the Louvre Museum, Paris.
Picard also designed mantel clocks for the prestigious French clock-making company Raingo Frères. The manufacturer’s clocks are also on display in the Napoleon III Apartments.
On 1stDibs, find antique Henri Picard decorative objects, lighting, case pieces and more.
Pair of French gilt bronze table candelabra
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt bronze table candelabra French, 19th Century Height 75cm, diameter 35cm The fine gilt bronze candelabra in this pair are crafted ...
Ormolu
Two Antique Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) candelabra are designed in a Rococo style, after decorative arts of the Louis XV period (1715-1774). The candelabra display many characteristics ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Table Candelabra by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Pair of gilt bronze table candelabra by Ferdinand Barbedienne French, late 19th century Measures: Height 97cm, width 46cm, depth 35cm These large and finely cast candelabra were...
Ormolu, Bronze
Two Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These magnificent candelabra were cast entirely of gilt bronze in the French Empire period of the early 19th century. Each candelabrum is formed as a cornucopia of scrolled branches holding four lights with drip pans, set on a single torch-form stem, held aloft by a Classical style figure. The figures, one male and one female, are shown draped in swathed clothing, with the male figure depicted holding a quill in his other hand, whilst the female figure clutches a delicate bouquet of flowers. The figures stand upon circular bases, set onto ovoid vases which featured fluted details and central bands of laurel leaf motifs. The vases themselves stand on undulating roundels formed of acanthus leaves, which are further set atop square-form plinths. Classically influenced works were popular during the French Empire period, when the Emperor Napoleon I sought to create a place in history for France alongside the ancient dynasties...
Ormolu, Bronze
Belle Époque Period Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These candelabra represent 19th century French design at its most playful and inventive, modelled in gilt bronze in the form of highly stylized dolphins. The candelabra each have sev...
Ormolu, Bronze
Four Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces
Located in London, GB
The gilt bronzes sconces are identically designed in an elegant neoclassical style. The stems of the sconces are shaped like arrow quivers, which are each mounted with two arms. Thes...
Ormolu, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Five-Light Candelabrum, Late 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant French five-light candelabrum, crafted in richly gilt bronze, is a refined example of late 19th-century decorative artistry. The piece features a beautifully sculpted ce...
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Gilt Bronze Five-Light Candelabrum with Classical Motifs
Located in Worcester, GB
Mid-19th Century French Gilt Bronze Five-Light Candelabrum with Classical Motifs A finely cast French gilt bronze five-light candelabrum, dating to the mid-19th century and executed...
Ormolu
Antique Louis Philippe Gilt Bronze Candelabra, French, Circa 1840
Located in Montreal, QC
Each well modeled as a youth in Renaissance dress, one foot upon a gourd and supporting a four-light candelabrum, the arms cast with acanthus, the st...
Bronze
Set of Four Georgian Gilt Bronze Palace Torchieres
Located in Dallas, TX
World class set of four Georgian gilt bronze four light palace torchieres, made to light the way of royalty! Each cast in brilliant doré bronze, the detailed on this set is unmatched...
Bronze
Set of Four French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb and most impressive set of four French 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu candelabras, signed by Robert Frères. Each candelabra is raised by an elegant scalloped shape base wi...
Ormolu
Pair 19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze Four-Light Candelabra Engraved Details
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An elegant pair of antique late 19th century Italian gilt bronze four-light candelabra, beautifully crafted in the Continental style. Each candelabrum features a refined geometric co...
Bronze
The elegant ceramics represent the best of French artistry and innovation.
This golden material glamorized neoclassical furnishings and transformed upper-crust sitting rooms from France to Philadelphia in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
