Henry Dasson

Furniture and Bronze Manufacture

(1825-1896)

Henry Dasson (1825–1896) was one of the most celebrated cabinetmakers and bronze sculptors of the 19th century. Based in Paris, Dasson was renowned for producing exceptional gilt-bronze mounted furniture in the styles of Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. Unlike many of his contemporaries who trained as ébénistes, Dasson began his career as a bronze sculptor. This background gave him a distinct advantage, particularly in the execution of ormolu mounts, where his precise chiselling and mastery of mercury gilding set his work apart.

Close-up of the Henry Dasson signature on a PAIR OF CANDELABRA available in our decorative collection
at Jacksons Antique

In 1871, Dasson acquired the workshop and inventory of Charles-Guillaume Winckelsen at 106 rue Vieille-du-Temple, providing him with a library of master models and refined production methods. His atelier quickly became known for its luxurious reinterpretations of 18th-century royal furniture, often incorporating rare materials such as tortoiseshell, marble, and exotic woods alongside complex gilt-bronze mounts. He specialised in producing highly finished, limited-run pieces tailored for an elite international clientele, including European aristocracy and royalty.

Dasson’s international acclaim was cemented at the Paris Expositions Universelles of 1878 and 1889. In 1878, he exhibited a gilt-bronze centre table that was acquired by Lord Dudley, and a reproduction of the celebrated Bureau du Roi, sold to Lady Ashburton. At the 1889 Exposition, his expanded collection earned him the prestigious Grand Prix Artistique. These displays demonstrated his ability to revive ancient régime styles with exceptional technical accuracy.

A Pair of FRENCH LOUIS XVI ORMOLU (BRONZE DORE) CANDELABRA available in our decorative collection
at Jacksons Antique

He was formally recognised by the French state for his contributions to the decorative arts, being made a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur in 1883 and later promoted to Officier in 1889. His stylistic influences ranged from the baroque grandeur of Boulle to the neoclassicism of Louis XVI. Pieces often featured symmetrical laurel motifs, mythological figures, and refined marquetry adapted for 19th-century function and scale.

Dasson ceased production in 1894 and sold the assets of his workshop, including models, designs, and reproduction rights, to other leading makers such as Maison Millet, Paul Sormani, J.E. Zwiener, and Beurdeley. These acquisitions helped sustain Dasson’s influence across the French luxury furniture market into the early 20th century. His bronze mounts, often signed and dated, remain highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike for their exceptional detail and quality.

He died in 1896 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and is buried at Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris. A bronze bust by Jules Dallier commemorates his legacy. Today, Henry Dasson is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the 19th-century revival of 18th-century French furniture, his name synonymous with the highest standards of ormolu-mounted design.