Napoleon III Rococo Revival Crystal Bonbonniere with Ornate Brass Base

Design & Inspiration

Place this piece at the centre of a console table or a formal dining sideboard and watch it command the room. The lidded crystal bonbonniere in the Napoleon III Rococo Revival tradition is one of those objects that belongs equally to a Parisian hôtel particulier of the 1860s and a contemporary luxury interior — its proportions are confident, its ornament deliberate. The deeply faceted crystal catches every source of light and scatters it in small constellations across the surface it rests upon. This is not mere decoration; it is a calculated exercise in light and transparency.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The body and lid are formed from thick, hand-cut crystal, its surface articulated with a dense diamond-and-fan relief pattern characteristic of the finest Bohemian and French crystal houses that flourished under the Second Empire. The lid is crowned with a faceted crystal finial, while its rim is encased in a rippling gilt brass collar — cast, not stamped — whose irregular, organic edge mimics the frothy rocaille borders found on Napoleon III porcelain garnitures. Below the bowl, a faceted crystal sphere acts as a transition node between the transparent body and the opaque brass base, a deliberate design choice that lightens the visual weight of the substantial base. The base itself is cast brass, heavily worked with acanthus scrolls, foliate C-curves, and four scrolled feet — every surface textured, none left plain.

Dimensions & Details

Height: 28 cm / Diameter: 16 cm
Weight: 4 kg
Materials: Hand-cut crystal, cast brass
Finish: Available in multiple brass finish options
Set: 1 piece (single bonbonniere with lid)

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every piece leaving the Brass & Wood atelier in Egypt is assembled and finished by hand. The brass components are cast individually, hand-filed at the joins, and finished to match the selected brass color. The crystal elements are inspected for clarity and alignment before assembly. This is a handcrafted luxury object — minor natural variations between pieces are a mark of genuine craft, not a flaw. Brass & Wood brings the decorative vocabulary of nineteenth-century European ateliers to a contemporary production standard, without sacrificing the artisanal character that defines the original pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this bonbonniere made from?

The bowl and lid are hand-cut crystal with a diamond and fan faceted relief pattern. The base, collar ring around the lid, and connecting hardware are cast brass, finished in your choice of brass color. The connecting stem includes a faceted crystal sphere.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — the bowl sits on the base via the crystal sphere stem, and the lid rests on the bowl. No tools are needed. The piece arrives carefully packed and is straightforward to set up.

Can this bonbonniere be customized?

Yes. This piece is available in multiple brass finish options including Antique Gold, Gold, and Silver. For further customization inquiries, please contact the Brass & Wood team directly.