Napoleon III Rococo Revival Crystal Tissue Box - Royal Blue with Gilt Brass Mounts

Design & Inspiration

Place this tissue box on a dressing table or salon console and the room shifts register. The deep royal blue of the crystal body — faceted and pressed with a fine geometric diamond pattern — reads almost like a gemstone at scale. This is a piece that doesn't apologize for its presence: the gilt brass mounts at every corner, the openwork cartouche centred on the long face, the scrolled acanthus feet lifting it clear of any surface — all of it signals a tradition of decorative excess that the Second Empire wore with complete conviction. Inspired by the Napoleon III Rococo Revival aesthetic of the 1850s–1870s, this tissue box faithfully reproduces the period's defining tension between delicate ornament and assertive colour.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The body is formed from deep cobalt crystal glass, its surface impressed with a repeating diamond-cut grid that catches and fractures light across the room. The lid is hinged and fitted with a reticulated slot to dispense tissues cleanly. Every brass element — the corner mounts, the central pierced cartouche with its rocaille scrollwork and ribbon drops, the four asymmetric cabriole feet, and the oval blue-glass medallion set into the lid — is cast and hand-finished. The gilding is applied over a prepared ground to achieve the warm, full-bodied gold tone associated with Second Empire ormolu. At 4 kg, the piece has the reassuring density of quality metalwork. Handcrafted in Egypt by Brass & Wood artisans trained in classical European decorative traditions.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 30 cm / Depth: 14 cm / Height: 12 cm
Weight: 4 kg
Lid: hinged with tissue dispensing aperture
Base: four cast brass cabriole feet
Finish: gilt brass over cast metal with cobalt crystal glass body

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every piece that leaves the Brass & Wood workshop is individually assembled and finished by hand. The brass castings are cleaned, fitted, and gilded by craftsmen who understand that the difference between a decorative object and a significant one lies in the quality of its finishing details. This tissue box is not a mass-produced import — it is a handcrafted object made to be used and admired across a lifetime, and to hold its own among serious European-style interiors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this tissue box made from?

The body and lid are formed from cobalt crystal glass with a pressed diamond-cut surface pattern. All mounts, feet, cartouches, and the oval lid medallion surround are cast gilt brass. No wood is used in this piece.

Is assembly required?

No assembly is required. The piece arrives fully assembled and ready to display.

Can this be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization options including alternative brass finish colors. Contact our team to discuss your requirements before placing your order.