Dating back to the Bourbon Restoration in France and the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, l’Escalier de Cristal (the Crystal Staircase) was founded by Madame Veuve Désarnaud as the first company to offer decorative objects made from crystal and gilded bronze. The firm was located in the Palais Royal in Paris, opposite the Louvre. It grew through a series of owners to become the gold standard for reproductions of 18th-century furniture — so perfect they were often mistaken for originals.
Désarnaud won numerous awards for her creations, including a gold medal at the 1819 Paris Exposition des Produits de l’Industrie Française for a dressing table featuring her signature bronze-crystal combination. A tailor named Boin bought the company around 1830; he in turn sold it to Pierre-Isidore Lahoche in 1840. Lahoche’s son-in-law, Émile Pannier, joined in a partnership in 1952 before Émile’s sons took over in 1885, establishing Pannier Frères. The company ceased commercial production in 1923.
Starting as early as the 1860s, there was a growing appetite for Japanese-style furniture, thanks in large part to the Japanese pavilion at the International Exposition of 1867. Henry Pannier reimagined some of the company’s designs to meet this new demand. The stylized furniture was a huge success and earned the company many awards, including the gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Others who contributed to this stylistic trend included French artist Émile Gallé, French glassmaker and ceramicist François-Eugène Rousseau, French furniture designer Louis Majorelle and French cabinetmaker Gabriel Viardot.
Henry Pannier made a constant effort to sketch each object the company sold and record it in his notebooks. Over 50 years, he recorded 2,800 furniture designs, each with its own name, date of sale and price. On some pieces, l’Escalier de Cristal signed the models, adding a layer of authenticity and distinction for today’s collectors.
Museums around the world have collected pieces from l’Escalier de Cristal, including the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of l’Escalier de Cristal decorative objects, vases, desk accessories and more.
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
Crystal, Bronze
$5,000
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Crystal, 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Inkwell in gilded bronze and crystal from the second half of the 19th century Original gilding in perfect condition 19th century, Napoleon III 8.2 x 10.6 cm, total height 8.2 cm
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
19th century malachite inkwell. The circular plate for resting a fountain pen houses a crystal inkpot in its center. The plate and the inkpot's stopper are embellished with a gilt bronze cross...
Crystal, Malachite
19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning and rare French mid-19th century encier in Louis Revival taste with Moorish Arabesque influence. Handcrafted in Champlevé enameled gilt bronze with ornate and colorful blue, pink, red, green and white enameling over the heavily shaped and scalloped base, that borders the stunning Severes style (I have not removed it to check for a makers mark) enameled porcelain tray scene of frolicking putti. The stunning enameling continues on the raised inkwell body and hinged lid with finial. Opposite, two raised balls act as a pen rest, the inkstand raising on four ball feet. Similar to French cloisonne, each champlevé design is a one-of-a-kind work of art. A beautiful warm verdigris patina adds to its character and charm. This wonderful antique objet...
Bronze, Enamel
Bronze Chinese Dragon Boat Inkwell 19th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Chinese dragon boat double inkwell. Original glass inserts. Circa 1870's bronze. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that occurs on the fifth day of the fift...
Metal, Bronze
$2,400
H 5.75 in W 5.25 in D 3.25 in
French 19th Century Charles X St. Bronze, Ormolu and Sienna Marble Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Charles X st. patinated bronze, ormolu and Sienna marble inkwell. The inkwell is raised by a rectangular Sienna marble base. The pedestal displays an e...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Brass Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A French brass inkwell, 19th century. 8 ¼ inches wide by 4 ¾ inches tall
Brass
$1,150
H 8 in W 12 in D 6.75 in
19th Century French Green Marble and Bronze Rooster Inkwell Signed Melotte
By Melotte
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a desk, library, or study with this elegant antique bronze and marble inkwell set. Crafted in France circa 1880, the writing accessory is mounted on a richly veined green ma...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
19th Century, French, Empire Bronze Dore Inkwell Signed
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th century) bronze dore rectangular inkwell on 4 clawed feet with relief (signed BARBEDIENNE).
Bronze
19th Century Paper Mache and Crystal Inkwell
Located in Water Mill, NY
19th century papier mâché and mother-of-pearl with elaborately carved inkwells.
Brass
19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...
Marble, Bronze
Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt and Patina Bronze Inkwell
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt and Patina Bronze Inkwell Depicting a bronze sleeping cherub lying on a gilt bronze settee, opening up to two ink holders. Details: Height – 4 in...
Bronze, Ormolu