Napoleon III Rococo Revival Tissue Box - Ebonized Body with Gilt Brass Laurel Mounts

Design & Inspiration

Place this tissue box on a console table and the room immediately acquires a different register. The deep lacquer-black body — faceted and embossed with a fine geometric grid — disappears against itself, making the gilt brass mounts the sole protagonists. At the centre of the lid, a full laurel-wreath cartouche in cast brass commands attention, flanked by scrolled acanthus corner handles that curve outward like the ears of a throne. This is the Napoleon III Rococo Revival idiom at its most assured: the dark ground paired with extravagant gilded ornament is the defining fingerprint of Second Empire decorative objects, where ebonised surfaces were deliberately chosen to make gold sing louder.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The body is formed in a dense ebonised resin, its surface pressed into a repeating diamond-lattice relief that catches light at every facet. The brass mounts are cast individually — the laurel cartouche on the lid, the foliate C-scroll handles at each short end, and the elaborate acanthus apron with cabriole-footed base — then finished by hand and assembled onto the body. The contrast between the dead-flat black ground and the warm, polished gilding is not accidental: it is the same chromatic logic that French bronziers of the 1860s applied to their best commodes and clock garnitures. Weighing 4 kg, the box has substantial presence in the hand.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 30 cm / Depth: 14 cm / Height: 12 cm
Weight: 4 kg
This compact footprint suits a bedside table, a salon console, or a reception desk without overwhelming adjacent objects. The top opening accommodates a standard tissue roll or folded tissues.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every piece leaving the Brass & Wood workshop in Egypt is assembled and finished by hand. The brass components are cast, chased, and polished by craftsmen trained in classical European ornamental metalwork. The result is a decorative object that repays close inspection — the underside of each cabriole foot, the inner curve of every acanthus leaf — with the same quality of finish as the face the world sees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this tissue box made from?

The body is ebonised resin with a pressed geometric relief surface. The decorative mounts — lid cartouche, corner handles, apron, and feet — are handcrafted cast brass with a gilt finish. Total weight is 4 kg.

Is assembly required?

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

Can this be customised?

Yes. The brass finish is available in Gold, Silver, and Antique Gold variants. Custom finishes or body colours may be requested — contact Brass & Wood directly to discuss bespoke options.