Magnificent and important gilt bronze stand by Alphonse Giroux, c.1840, one of the greatest decorative arts figures of the 19th century and an important figure in the history of photogrpahy.He passed away in 1848. 8"x 12".Most of the items from his hand or bearing his signature are in museums or important private collections.(From Wiki):"Alphone Giroux studied painting under Jacques-Louis David, and founded an art restoration business near the end of the 18th century. He was the official restorer of Notre Dame Cathedral, and collected and exhibited art by Louis Daguerre, Charles Marie Bouton, Charles Arrowsmith, Charles Renoux, and others. As well as restoring art, his business made and sold furniture in various styles for the French royal family and others.[1]Giroux is also known for constructing the daguerreotype cameras designed by Daguerre,[2] the first commercially manufactured photographic camera in the world. A mass-produced daugerrotype camera cabinet manufactured by Giroux, who was the brother-in-law of Louis Daguerre, was exhibited at the 1839 Exposition des produits de l'industrie française in Paris. It did not win an award, although Giroux did gain a silver medal for a jewelry box.[3]The painter André Giroux was one of his sons."Potential bidders should be aware that the top unscrews from the rest.I believe that the top held something like a glass bowl, so that when you looked down into the glass bowl you saw the decorative circle that screwed the glass bowl in place.

Good condition overall