A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED PORPHYRY BOWL

Established in 1804 by Madame Désarnaud, Escalier de Cristal was 'Fournisseur breveté du Roi’, supplying furniture and objets d’art to noble families throughout France and beyond. They counted among their clients Tsar Alexander III, Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch and the Demidoff families, and supplied pieces to the Duc de Berry and the Garde-meuble de la Couronne. Escalier de Cristal continued its success by collaborating with designers such as Gallé and Christofle, and the firm became an icon of le goût Parisien and luxury during the second half of the 19th century.