A NAPOLEON III 'JAPONISME' ORMOLU AND ETCHED-GLASS ETAGERE

The Maison Alphonse Giroux (active 1799-1867) was established in Paris by François-Simon-Alphonse Giroux (d.1848). Specialising in the production of small items of furniture, as well as objets d'art, de fantaisie et de papeterie in a wide range of materials and styles. In 1838, the company was taken over by Giroux's two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (d.1886) and André (d.1874), who under the name of Giroux & Cie, further extended the business, showing and frequently winning medals at the Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie française. With many esteemed patrons, the firm was responsible for a bedroom suite supplied to Charles X in 1826, and between 1855 and 1857 supplied furniture to Napoléon III and Empress Eugenie.
A similar, yet slightly less lavish gueirdon with unadorned handles and legs, sold Christie's, Paris, 26 November 2013, lot 168.