Napoleon III Rococo Revival Amber Crystal Tissue Box with Gilt Ormolu Mounts

Design & Inspiration

Place this piece on a dressing table or reception console and the room shifts — the deep amber of the crystal catches whatever light is available and turns it warm, amber-gold, as if a small ember is glowing inside the box. This tissue holder draws from the design vocabulary of the Napoleon III Rococo Revival period (1852–1870), when Second Empire Paris rediscovered the exuberance of Louis XV but pushed it further: heavier gilding, denser casting, more theater. The result was decorative objects that functioned as sculptures in their own right, and this piece carries that tradition faithfully.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The body is pressed and faceted amber crystal — its surface carries a repeating floral-panel relief pattern across each face, with a diamond-cut border at the rim that refracts light into fine prismatic lines. The lid is set with an oval beveled crystal medallion surrounded by a hand-cast gilt ormolu laurel wreath — the laurel being the Napoleon III period's preferred emblem of civic and aesthetic achievement. The ormolu framework is cast in brass and finished in polished gold, with scrolling acanthus-leaf corner brackets, foliate side handles, and four ornately scrolled feet that lift the box with the kind of visual buoyancy that distinguishes a well-proportioned decorative object from a merely functional one. Every component is handcrafted and assembled by hand at our Cairo atelier.

Dimensions & Details

Weight: 4 kg. The substantial weight reflects the quality of the crystal body and the density of the brass ormolu mounts — this is not a lightweight decorative accessory. Available in multiple brass finishes: Gold, Silver, and Antique Gold.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Brass & Wood produces each piece at our Cairo atelier, where artisans trained in classical European decorative traditions work with the same techniques — lost-wax brass casting, hand-finishing of metal mounts, crystal faceting — that defined the great Parisian luxury ateliers of the Second Empire. Country of Origin: Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this tissue box made from?

The body and lid are amber-toned faceted crystal with relief-molded floral panels. The framework, handles, feet, and lid medallion are handcast brass finished in polished gold (or your chosen brass finish variant).

Is this product fragile?

Yes. The crystal components require careful handling. The piece is packed in protective packaging suitable for safe delivery, but we recommend placing it on a stable surface away from high-traffic areas.

Can this be customized?

Yes. This piece is available in Gold, Silver, and Antique Gold brass finishes. For bespoke customization requests, please contact our team directly through the Brass & Wood website.