Gilded Bronze Tray With Champlevé Enamels, Signed By Alphonse Giroux, Napoleon III

A rare and elegant presentation tray in finely chiseled and gilded bronze, signed Alph. Giroux on the reverse, a creation of the prestigious Maison Alphonse Giroux, a renowned supplier to the Imperial Court during the Second Empire.

With its flowing form, this tray is magnificently adorned with a rich design of polychrome champlevé enamels in shades of blue, turquoise, green, white, and black, forming arabesques, rosettes, and Oriental-inspired motifs. The decoration is enhanced by finely engraved original gilding.

The two handles are shaped like superb birds with outstretched wings, sculpted with great finesse, lending lightness and elegance to the piece as a whole. The tray rests on four small gilded bronze feet.

This piece perfectly illustrates the refinement of the Alphonse Giroux House, whose creations were awarded prizes at the World’s Fairs and appreciated by an aristocratic and imperial clientele. The firm was renowned for its luxury objects combining gilded bronze, enamel, and decorative motifs inspired by the Renaissance, Gothic, or Japanese styles.

The reverse bears the engraved signature “Alph. Giroux”, attesting to its origin.

In very fine condition with luminous gilding and remarkably well-preserved enamels.

Dimensions:

• Length: 36 cm
• Width: 17 cm
• Height: 5 cm

A high-quality piece, suitable for both a collection of 19th-century art objects and as a refined decorative piece.