A lovely pair of Napoleon III porcelain lamps — and such a pleasure to talk about.
The colours are the first thing you notice: this strong ultramarine, that confident bleu roi we see so often in the 1850s–1860s. It’s a vivid shade, very alive, especially with the small pink enamel flowers and the fine touches of gold that give the lamps their charm.

The frosted glass globes, with their soft etched patterns, belong perfectly to the same period. Those little geometric lines and scrolling motifs diffuse the light in such a gentle way. And of course, the brass ring and the ornate bronze base complete the silhouette in that unmistakable Second Empire style.

What I love most is the colour. It’s rarer than the usual black or red versions, and it gives the pair a presence that feels both refined and slightly unexpected. They’ve been electrified discreetly, without losing any of their authenticity — the spirit of the object remains intact.

Placed on a chest of drawers or a mantelpiece, they bring that quiet elegance of the Second Empire, the kind that warms a room without trying too hard. You know, the sort of lamps that make you pause for a moment when you walk past them.